Before joining our student newspaper, Campus Current, and becoming features editor, I was pretty shy.
If I noticed a classmate who was dressed cool or was wearing a T-shirt that showed off something I am hyper-fixated on, the extrovert in me would come out. I would introduce myself, start conversations and sit near my cool classmate in class.
But if I saw someone like that outside of class, I would be too nervous to say anything. Sometimes even with relatives, I wouldn’t know what to talk about besides a quick recap of how our lives were going.
Then, complete, awkward silence.
But now, with Campus Current, I have to interview students and staff members. That has helped me overcome my shyness. But it didn’t happen overnight.
For my first person-on-the-street article, which is a story that requires interviews with at least 50 students—mostly strangers—I had to rush to the bathroom after every two interviews and try to breathe and calm myself down.
It was super nerve-racking, even though my professor would tell us, “Worrying about it is worse than actually doing it.”
I didn’t agree, at least at first.
But she was right. Once I finished my interviews, I felt accomplished and relieved.
I’m really grateful for that experience, because my passion for journalism started when I was just a child.
It started with “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” The character April O’Neil, a fierce reporter who covered stories in the news while helping out the turtles, inspired me to pursue a career in journalism.
However, I quickly realized that there were no turtles or any kicking butts involved, sadly. But my passion for journalism remained strong. In elementary, middle and high school, I joined the news broadcasting and yearbook clubs, and when I entered AACC, I decided to enroll in a journalism class and become a reporter for the student newspaper. I truly enjoyed coming up with ideas and writing stories and how it felt to see my name on a published story.
I still have a long way to go when it comes to overcoming my shyness. But thanks to Campus Current, I’ve gotten somewhat better at approaching people, even outside of school. Now, whenever I see someone cool, I start talking.
If you are shy and looking to overcome your fear, I highly recommend taking on a leadership role or joining a club here on campus. Being a part of something and surrounding yourself with people is something that will help you overcome that fear.
Once you fully commit to your role in a club or in a leadership position, you will grow to be more confident.
Plus, you’ll make some great friends along the way.
Trust me, I’ve been in your shoes before.
And if I can try to do this, then you can, too.