Coming to a large university like Purdue can be very overwhelming for incoming freshmen. You are probably experiencing doubt and anxiety thinking this campus is too big! How do I meet new people? Where can I find a group of friends I can be comfortable around? Well to answer that question you must first do one very important thing, you must step outside of your own comfort zone. Join the rowing club, join the ultimate frisbee intramural team, don’t hesitate to say hi to your neighbor three doors down from you in the dorms. This will allow you to meet new people who you will see on a regular basis at these events.
Nearly all freshmen feel this same way when they first come to Purdue, so don’t feel shy or embarrassed because chances are that first person you meet will be experiencing the same apprehension as yourself. The most important piece of advice I can give you is to go out and try new things, do something new that you never would have even imagined yourself doing. Make a positive name for yourself and put yourself out there, you’ll be glad you did.
You have the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with others by getting involved on campus. Who knows, that one person in the debate club could end up being your wife. Or that guy on your basketball team could end up being your best friend throughout college. You always want to make a friend in any organization, or even class, that you are in. It will end up being very beneficial to you in the long run, and one day you will be able to look back on all of the unforgettable memories you made by stepping out your comfort zone.
Scott Bell
Mass Communication, May 2013
