"...Names Will Never Hurt Me..."

How many times have we all heard the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me"? A million, right? We used to say it all the time to other children when we were in grade school, so why am I bringing this up on a college blog? Well, let me explain...

A few weeks ago on a Saturday night, one of my "friends" was in my room, trying to talk me into going out to a party with her and some other people. And if you know me, you will understand these two things about me: 1. I hate drinking and partying. I hate it with an endless passion. 2. You can beg, plead, or even cry to try to persuade me into doing something; but if I don't feel comfortable with it or I already have my mind made up, good luck trying to break me down! So she continues to try to persuade me, saying that she really didn't feel like going out either, but she "didn't want to stay in and be a loser or anything, no offense!"

At first, I didn't think much of her comments. But later that night, I felt that something inside of me had been irritated. Upon further thought, I realized that her comments really bothered me. Just hearing her label someone who stays in on the weekend and doesn't go out and party as a "loser" really set me on edge, especially after insinuating that I was the loser for not going out.

A person shouldn't be labeled as a "loser" just because they don't like the whole party atmosphere. And I'm finding that more and more people do think of people that don't drink and go crazy as "losers." Furthermore, I find it offensive. Just because I don't enjoy that kind of thing doesn't mean that I'm a loser. I like to have fun just as much as the next person. I like to go out with my friends, get dinner, talk, and shop. I am not "dull." I know how to have fun- I know how to have my own kind of fun.

To anyone that is thinking about living away at college and shares my views on this subject, I want to warn you. You will get this type of comment sooner or later. People will try to wear you down, and will keep nagging at you until you give in and go out to party with them. If you think you might want to try it, go for it. But if you don't, stick to your beliefs. Don't let anyone try to make you feel bad for not wanting to be like everyone else, even though whatever label they may slap on you will hurt. No matter how bad their comments make you feel, hold on to what you believe in. I have learned many other times in my life in other types of situations that the worst thing you can do to yourself is to knowingly go against your beliefs. Because while you may have some fun while you are out doing whatever it is you are doing, something is going to catch up with you. And you will know when it has caught up with you, because you get this sick feeling in the pit of stomach; that is when you know you have just betrayed yourself.

If you are an incoming college freshman, I am not trying to scare you. I want to empower you to stick to your beliefs. I want you to be aware of what may happen when you get to college, and most importantly, I want you to be prepared for if/when this situation happens.

I think it's time for college students to realize that they don't have to go with the "majority rule", that it's okay to be different and go against the grain. You don't have to be typical, because honestly, who wants to be "the typical" anything?? I would rather be anything but typical; to me, it is better to be 'extra'ordinary instead of just 'ordinary.'

So when you start your college experience, go in there and be the person who you are. Don't bend to others; be your own extraordinary you! And don't ever let people make you feel bad for not being like them. Because quite frankly, who wants to be like them anyway?!?!

Thanks for reading, and as always, feel free to follow me on all social media sites listed on the right side of the page and also by submitting your email into the box at the top right of the page.

-That Strong-Minded University Girl <3