Socializing with others isn’t as easy as it seems, especially at school. Many students, whether they are freshmen, sophomores, juniors or even seniors, suffer from anxiety which holds them back from interacting with other students. Everyone suffers from anxiety differently. Anxiety can be genetically inherited, or there is still a chance a person might develop it over time.
During my freshman year my anxiety levels were extremely high, mostly because I had just moved to Loudoun County, which made it more difficult for me to socialize. I was so afraid of what others would think of me that I didn’t even know how to begin talking to another student. Constant thoughts of making the wrong impression or saying the wrong things to someone would run through my mind, preventing me from talking to anyone.
My anxiety levels aren’t as high as they were in my freshman year, but I still struggle with doing simple tasks like presenting in front of a silent class or raising my hand to answer a question.
The hard truth is that anything can make anyone anxious. People don’t understand that the words that they choose or actions that they do can have a negative impact on how someone thinks about themselves or about the people around them.
Anxiety isn’t something that someone can control or manipulate, but it is something that they can change. Overcoming anxiety takes time; it could take a few months or a few years. A good way to slowly get away from feeling anxious is to slowly push yourself out of your comfort zone. You could start simple like joining a club or making small talk with other students. It’s not easy to experience anxiety but it doesn’t last forever.
