10. Changing Colors, Changing Me: How BYU Has shaped my Worldview

Watching fall leaves change often causes people to reflect, and Thanksgiving makes you remember what you're grateful for. As I reflect, I'm grateful that I can be here, and I'm grateful that I'm having experiences that will shape my life forever. Coming to BYU has definitely changed my worldview. In only a few short months of being here, I feel like I've changed so much as a person.

Before I came to BYU, some of my friends and neighbors warned me that it was a school of people who are preachy, judgmental, and all fit in a cookie-cutter mold. To some extent, some of these things are true. But for the most part the people I've met have been absolutely wonderful. I've met people who are kind, inclusive, intelligent, and fun. It's inspired me to be a better person. Not everyone at BYU is perfect, in fact we're far from it. The environment is competitive and can foster negative feelings of comparison. Even with these few drawbacks, I have found BYU to be an amazing experience that is changing the way I think.

In high school, I knew almost everyone. I was good with names, I was outgoing, and friendly. Here, I barely know anyone in a throng of so many students. It makes me feel small, but it also helps me realize that there are so many different people with so many different stories. And we're all going through the college experience together. Even though I feel like I might not have as many friends here as I did back home, I've been loving the opportunity to meet people and extend my circles.

One of the biggest things that has changed my worldview is meeting my roommate Michaela. (Also known affectionately as Mickey.) She's from Los Angeles, and the transition to Utah culture has been a bit of a struggle for her. By talking to her about her experiences growing up, and comparing them with my own of living in Salt Lake City, I've learned so much. She's taught me that there are good people around the world, no matter their race, gender, religion, or background. She's taught me to be more accepting of others. She's taught me to be adventurous, to get outside my shell, and to live life more spontaneously.

I loved growing up in Utah, and I've loved living in the "Provo bubble." It's not perfect, and it's a little overbearing at times, but I love being surrounded by others who share my standards. At the same time, coming to college has allowed me to meet a very diverse group of people. We all have different stories to tell, and we all have something in common.

So many aspects of my life are shifting and changing. My mission call, the election, new roommates, new classes. As I'm experiencing college, living on my own, I know that I am changing. Hopefully for the better.