After completing my degree, I would not have believed that I would do my masters in a completely different field at a University which I would have missed very badly. An introvert entering into a University with a lot of people from different backgrounds, who come with even more lot of fun. The first thing I felt was being accepted among the lot of chaos.
You feel scared to talk to people, but then they start accepting you and your vulnerabilities. In my case, I restricted myself from being in amusing activities, especially the cultural events. For my shock I eventually found myself dancing, even though poorly, and even participating in a drama. I wouldn't have believed it if someone had said you would enjoy these things in times coming. But that's what had happened.
Even I who was scared of talking to girls started becoming more comfortable with them. It's also because of how they freely talk and accept your weakness. And the romance happening in the campus is something I only saw in the movies and hearing and seeing those happening I felt I was way behind for all these crazy things. Some love stories needed a separate movie for their own. You would know how to approach someone more decently, and if it doesn't end up well you just move on. More importantly, one would know what consent is about. These can be very normal things, but it was new for me.
Another thing was the nightlife. Students walking, chatting, and celebrating in campus till late at night was something I hadn't heard of. You just roam freely, shout out, cheer up, cry, and talk with the closest with no judgment is bliss. This was new and I liked it instantly. Friends calling at 2 AM to go for a walk and have a cup of tea was a joy at another level. I started being more confident with people around me even though it still scares me.
I got ideas and values aligned. I slowly started speaking up for what I felt was right. When you have people who will correct your mistakes and also stand for you when something new has to be done then courage will find you. When you open yourself up, you will get people who have the same vibe for your company. Just ensure your ideas aren't degrading or oppressing and you should stand by them. You can also end up talking with a stranger to whom you gave a lift in the campus and connect easily within some minutes of the ride.
We can see so many ideologies revolving around. These unconsciously influence you to evolve as well. When I post stories of my life here, my friends away say that I have changed a lot. Maybe the atmosphere here absorbed me. I have been hearing about the LGBTQ+ community but meeting them and having conversations and normalising it was an experience for me. When I posted a campus drama about gay rights prompted surprised reactions from friends who hadn't expected such discussions at a university. Even I would have reacted the same if I hadn't gone there.
People also talk about mental health and how it can be handled. These things made me listen to people more because I may not know what's going on with them. The liberal ideas I swam through were very high breaking all my stereotypes. I learned about being vocal which I never was. Asked out loud if something wasn't right even if it were my friends or teachers. Before that, I was the one who sat in the corner and wanted to complete my 2 years great without anyone knowing I existed.
The care and love I got from my friends were immense and I don't why they showed it to me. Have some faith in the people around you and everything may fall in line. Gratitude to those generous individuals who didn't anticipate reciprocation.