09/30/2011 15:33

 

 

No one can graduate high school without getting pegged with some type of label: jock, nerd, band geek, sweet, ditzy, etc. Once you've been branded it becomes almost impossible to form a new identity. However, if you are sick of the status quo, fate does offer you one reprieve -- college. College is the perfect time for a rebirth of your personality and/or image. This is especially true if you attend a school in a different city from where you grew up since you will likely know few, if any, people. It is one of the rare times in life where you can be whoever you want since no one knows anything about you and you can make a first impression with everyone that you meet.

 

If you're going to tackle a reinvention, then you've got to have a plan; you can't just show up and expect things to be different. So, to help you get started, here is a list of some things you should do:

 

1. Get a New Look

Whether your old style used to be goth, preppy, sporty, or whatever, you have to look different if you want to be seen differently. Get a new wardrobe, change your hairstyle -- just make a change. We all know clothes can make us feel and act differently, so pick out clothes that reflect your personality. Just be careful about adding permanent enhancements such as tattoos or piercings which may hurt your future job prospects. This "edgy" look may work alright for artists or musicians, but it isn't exactly what you want if you are planning on being an elementary school teacher.

 

2. Commit

If you're going to do this, then you have to fully commit. You can't swagger into class one day with your cool, new persona, and then shuffle in the next day with your head down. If you do that, people will likely think that you are either manic or confused.

 

3. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

If you continue to do the same old stuff that you've always done, then you will undoubtedly become the same person. To be different, you have to different things. Try joining a club, or going to new types of activities, sit with people you wouldn't normally sit with, dance when you would have sat … basically, just mix it up.

 

4. Break Old Habits

This is the hardest step of all, because we all know that habits are hard to break. No matter if you want to be more social, more studious, or anything in between, if you are used to doing the opposite, then you are going to have to work hard to prevent falling into old patterns. One of the best ways to do this is to simply fake it until you make it. If you pretend you are a certain way long enough it eventually will come true.

 

Overall, you've got to look at life with new eyes. You can't think of yourself or others in the same way as before. Turn off all judgments towards yourself and other people and you will be surprised how much life can change.