By: Claire O’Neil
What Makes Me Different?
I think it’s important to understand that each and every one of us are different in our own way. We come from all over, with different families, interests, and opinions. During my senior year of high school, I made the difficult decision to depart from my friend group and come to West Virginia University. The great Albert Einstein once said:
“The person who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The person who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever seen before.” – Albert Einstein
I felt this decision made me feel different and unique because I finally felt I was doing something on my own. I went to a small high school outside of Wheeling, West Virginia, with a graduating class of 53. It was the typical small-town school, where 95% of the students are white and where football is practically a religion.
I spent the entirety of my life in this town and had the same group of friends since kindergarten. When it came to my senior year of high school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but knew where I wanted to go.
West Virginia University had what I felt I needed, a vast and diverse atmosphere with amazing opportunities and experiences left and right. Yet, I would be leaving a past full of friendships and memories. None of my friends were planning on going to WVU so I would be going alone.
In my high school, I did practically everything with my friends because the school was so small. We had the same classes and did the same sports, the only thing that I felt differentiated us was what we wanted to do after high school.
This was a huge step for me, I felt that I would be entirely on my own in a new place with new people. I was going to be starting this journey by myself, but I was ready and willing.
WVU made me realize my individuality. I was able to see that there was no one like me but me. I could join any organization, become friends with a variety of people, and interact with different students who had different interests.
Now in my second year, I couldn’t be happier with my choice. I’ve made some amazing friends and have joined organizations like PRSSA, which have given me opportunities to meet professionals in my field.
Through the Reed College of Media, I was able to discover that we each have a personal calling to change the world through the media. Whether it’s working for a Public Relations company or distributing news for news station, we have the power to impact our society, especially in Public Relations. Through PR we are able to translate messages into positive media stories.
In the end coming to WVU made me realize, I have a purpose, my own personal voice, and that I wasn’t just another somebody from a small town. This decision changed my life and even though it made me different from my friends at home, I inspired other students from my small-town school to go out of their comfort zone and come to a bigger college.