Scholars Fighting Social Anxiety (S.F.S.A.)
For many of us, college is symbolic of change, new beginnings, and acts as a first glimpse into adulthood. We hear stories of the typical stress that college brings, but I do believe college is meant to be a fun experience overall. Young adults often attend university with thoughts of living on campus, partying, and forming new friendships. All of these things may come easily to students who are more extroverted and those who have socially thrived in the past. While extroverts are very much needed and appreciated, it is important to consider students that are not outgoing and who may not easily fall into social interaction.
In my almost-20-years of life, I have learned that social anxiety is a very common disorder. It is crucial to note that social anxiety and shyness are two completely different things. Shyness is a personality type, while social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition. While we should work to improve our social skills, it can be damaging and discouraging to be forced or pressured into socializing in spaces that are not naturally appealing to us.
Read more about social anxiety disorder here: https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder
The task of seeking friendship at a large school such as Kennesaw State University, can be a daunting task. In contrast to their sociable peers, students who suffer from social anxiety have a different experience. In an effort to find a school club or organization as KSU, I navigated the Owl Life website. Some of the organizations seem fun, but I had my own personal reservations. I often feel isolated, or not understood because I am so quiet. It is unnerving to enter a space in which you don’t easily relate and connect with other people. Although you may have similar interests, it is difficult to fellowship with your peers when there is such a disconnect.
Like many others, I have creative interests and I do have a personality despite my condition. I can only imagine how extraordinary it would be to have a club made specifically for people like myself; a place that lacks judgement and promotes community and understanding. To assist with this issue, I would like to propose the Scholars Fighting Social Anxiety Organization (S.F.S.A Organization). While it can be intimidating to join other clubs and organizations, S.F.S.A would become a safe space for these students.
Exposure therapy is often used to treat anxiety disorders by exposing the patient to the very thing that triggers their anxiety. S.F.S.A would utilize this strategy by acting as a starting point for those who desire to socialize without the fear of being judged for their disorder. It would provide the members with an opportunity to connect and participate in fun activities and attend events, all while tackling their disorder. The S.F.S.A Organization has the potential to help socially anxious students transition into college and further develop their social skills.
