Roxy’s Story: Overcoming Loneliness.

LiveItUp
LiveItUp
Jul 28, 2017 · 4 min read

For the first time in my life I was unhappy. I applied to transfer schools.

Watch Roxy’s Story HERE

I moved to New York City in the Fall of 2014 from a small suburb of San Diego that had horse stables and a local bowling alley. It was a culture shock to say the least. But I had wanted NYU forever and I wasn’t going to let the fear of distance get in the way. All of my hard work was for this school, this city, this opportunity.

My expectations were pretty high to say the least. Doesn’t everyone say that college is supposed to be “the best four years of your life?” I was in for an unpleasant surprise. I severely underestimated how difficult this transition would be. Going from high school to college is challenging enough as is. Moving to Manhattan on top of that? I had no clue what I was getting myself into.

New York City is a tough place. I constantly looked at all my friends who were at big state schools, going to football games and frat parties. They were living the college life that I had always pictured in my mind. I was missing it.

For the first time in my life, I became depressed. I had friends that I saw on Friday and Saturday nights, but no deep connections and no one to confide in. I was in a city surrounded by millions of people, and yet, I felt alone. To add to the loneliness, I felt that I couldn’t tell anyone because I had to project the image to my friends and parents that I was living the glamorous, fast-paced, Manhattan lifestyle I had always dreamed about.

By the time Thanksgiving rolled around, I knew I needed to get out. I couldn’t continue faking my smile, day after day. I hated New York City and I hated NYU. I submitted my transfer application to USC and left the rest to fate.

After Winter Break, I sobbed at the thought of having to go back to the cold, lonely city across the country. While I waited to hear back from USC, I decided to make the most of my time left at NYU and I went out for Spring recruitment. I desperately needed a community.

Slowly, after joining my sorority, each day felt a little bit easier. I started to recognize people in the gym or at the library. Even though a smile is such a small, simple gesture, they added up throughout the day and made all the difference. All of a sudden, I had people to explore the new parts of the city with and events like Formal and Greek Week to look forward to and plan for. I began to feel as though I actually had a place in this vast, crowded concrete jungle. I finally felt like I belonged.

When the spring rolled around, I received an acceptance letter from USC. After a moment of thought, I tore it up. I didn’t want to go anywhere. I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Today, I have the perfect best friend, an amazing boyfriend, an incredible sorority, and a dream job. New York City went from a dark, lonely place that I hated to the warm, stimulating city that I get to call my home.

Through this experience, I learned the importance of community. Anywhere can become your home once you find people you love. It may take a little courage and a whole lot of patience, but with enough desire and action, you can find happiness no matter where you go because of the people who can lift you up.

This is why I am a part Daybreaker FIT. To be a part of community for those who may be struggling to find it and to build people up who have already found their place. We all have a strong desire burning within us connecting us all: the desire to better ourselves, and in turn, better the world around us. We all have a story to tell and knowledge to share. It doesn’t matter if you live in a city of 3,000 people or 3 million people. Daybreaker FIT is a community that I can take with me, wherever I go, so I never have to feel alone in a crowd ever again.

With Love & Mischief,

Roxy.

At Daybreaker FIT our mission is to enhance your college experience by connecting you to a community of people who are living every day to be happier, more positive, and more abundant! When we find our peeps it makes the rest of our life fall into place. 😎 If you’re an epic community builder or you’re looking to find the right community, we can’t wait for you to be a FIT member this fall! Join us in the journey by taking our survey HERE.

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