Starting university can be a very anxious time, especially if you are worried about peer pressure. That is sadly unavoidable, but it doesn’t mean you should be worried about it. Being confident, and remembering that you are completely in your own right to do exactly what you want without fear or judgment, is an extremely important life lesson.
If you feel you’re with a group of people who are judging or pushing for you to do something that you are not extremely comfortable with, then evaluating this friendship and deciding if you need this type of energy in your life, during this time is a big change is an important thing to do.
Here are some tips and tricks to remember when starting you need to try and avoid this feeling and stay calm if you feel you experience a pressured environment.
The First People You Meet
Remember that the first people that you meet may not exactly be your cup of tea. The people that you house with, obviously want to try and get along with as much as possible. However, if you genuinely do not feel that they are going to be lifelong friends and these people are potentially having a negative influence on you, then do not panic.
Joining clubs and societies, making friends on your course, and getting a group of people who are more on your wavelength is an achievable goals. University is at a time when you can meet so many people all from different walks of life, and you would find the people with who you get on the most if you put yourself out there.
Be Honest
As simple as this trick may sound, communicating effectively with someone if you feel that they are crossing a line, personal boundary, or making you feel somewhat uncomfortable will be a great way to start as you mean to go on.
You don’t want to be having to endure a type of environment that you put up with the first few weeks of Uni if you are not enjoying it. So having an open conversation about how people can respect each other more or improve your surroundings is a great thing to do.
Of course, it’s easier said than done, but remembering to be yourself and try and have as much fun as you wish, is one of the most important life lessons that you end up learning at university.
Even though everybody says it, time really will go quickly and you want to look back on your university experience and be proud of what you did and who you have become.