Coming into MN from my private middle school, I knew approximately eight people and only liked one of them. I was shy, afraid, and lonely. 

Changing into the loud, friendly person I am now has been one of the most worthwhile journeys of my life, but certainly not an easy road.

I hate change. I always have. I get comfortable in my situations and refuse to see the potential for another situation. Early in my high school career, I felt as if my four years were going to revolve around the same friends and interests.

However, in my sophomore year, my world began to change. I had a lot of friendships end, for good and bad reasons. Suddenly, I was in uncharted territory and had to adapt to changes on my own.

For a while, I barely stayed afloat. I was so accustomed to my old habits that anything new: new friends, new interests, new surroundings, terrified me.

In January of my sophomore year, I took a chance on myself, randomly applying for a competitive health science program for my junior year.  And to my shock, I got in. But this posed new environments, new friends, and all-around uncomfortable situations.

I almost allowed my fear to overrule my excitement. But I took a leap of faith, participating in the program, and it became one of the best experiences of my life.

Change is scary. I’m not trying to deny it or suggesting to simply ‘get over it.’ I am, however, saying that the best part of my high school experience and my biggest piece of advice to anyone in high school is to allow yourself to grow and change.

High school is a period where you are supposed to grow, find yourself. For the majority of my high school career, I prohibited this growth out of fear. 

I kept myself from joining the journalism program out of fear. It wasn’t part of my initial plan for high school, so I felt as if I simply shouldn’t do it. 

Being a part of The Hoofbeat changed me in the best ways possible. I believe I have become a better advocate, a better writer, and a better person. Some of my absolute best memories of high school were made in room 1105. 

Journalism makes me feel complete. I feel like it gives me the voice I have always been searching for. Ultimately, learning to adapt as my stories do is how I learned to embrace change the way I do. 

The Bridget Neville of August 2017 may not be the Bridget Neville that is writing this now. Years ago, that discontinuity may have terrified me, but I now know change is just part of life.