Embracing Oneself: Acceptance and Resilience in a New Environment

Letting go of the need for others' approval can be a difficult but necessary step towards self-acceptance. This journey is deeply personal and can vary from one person to another. For example, it was a challenging yet transformative experience for me, especially during my transition to college.

A Journey to Self-Acceptance

I am from Chennai, and I completed my schooling two years ago. In Tamil Nadu, a majority of students pursuing undergraduate programs choose engineering after their board exams. Over the past twelve years, the number of colleges affiliated with Anna University has increased significantly. I was one of them who chose engineering. Through a placement counseling process, I was placed in a college. However, the journey to acceptance was not easy.

Dealing with Uncertainty

Six to seven seats were left for my community, and by the third day of the counseling process, those seats were all gone. I was devastated and lost hope for placement in my second-choice college. On the fourth day, despite the odds, I managed to secure a seat, a moment of sheer happiness and relief.

Adapting to a New Environment

The shock of the new environment was significant. My class in college became a stark contrast to what I was used to, with 50 girls and 10 boys. The transition was difficult, and my need to assimilate the names of my classmates for nearly a month was challenging. Even something as simple as being waved at from a distance had a different meaning in this new context. It was all about acceptance and adjusting to change.

The Discomforts of College Life

The college environment was not just a shock to the social dynamics. The buses were often uncomfortable, with rain affecting the inside, and the microbial growth inside the bus being a daily occurrence. The first year was not without its hardships, as the college had several issues that I could not change, such as inadequate facilities and irregular policies. It wasn’t just about the physical discomfort, but also adapting to a professional atmosphere meant to foster growth and development.

Turning Adversity into Opportunity

After two years, I managed to embrace the little opportunities that were available, regardless of the challenges. My mindset evolved from one of frustration and disappointment to one of resilience and adaptation. I learned to pick up the good amidst the bad and find hope in the little changes. This mindset has been instrumental in moving forward and embracing my environment.

Conclusion

Embracing oneself and adapting to a new environment requires acceptance and resilience. Even when faced with hardships and uncertainties, one can choose to see the positives and move forward. It is not about changing the world but about changing your perception and finding hope in challenging situations.

Keywords: acceptance, resilience, new environment