"Navigating College" by Elena Goodrow

I’ve always been coined as the “weird girl” in my very minimal experiences with schooling.

I was homeschooled all throughout kindergarten to my senior year of high school. I only went to school for the first time when I started my first college class in late 2024. Contrary to what most people assume, this does not mean I didn’t have a social life.

I went to homeschool co-ops throughout my childhood. They were groups of homeschooled children in my area that got together to review their schoolwork or enjoy extracurricular activities. This is where I found my love of theatre. I was very engaged at these co-ops. We met once a week for theatre rehearsals and I had a few friends. Although, most people kept their distance from me. Especially during lunch time when I whipped out my massive pill case and dumped 15 pills onto my plate.

As if having CF didn’t make me stand out already, I also played dungeons & dragons and exclusively wore Harry Potter t-shirts. I learned quickly that other 12 years old thought this made me weird. Nevertheless, I stood tall. I had many run-ins with bullying, but I also had a very strong personality. My parents taught me how to fight back and always remain self-confident. I’m forever thankful for that!

Now I’ve just turned 22 years old, and I’m taking classes at a school for the first time in my life. I took a real test for the first time, I learned classroom etiquette, and attempted to make friends. Well, that last part is only recent.

My first semester I did not speak to a single soul. I focused on my schoolwork, didn’t make eye contact with anyone, and left without anyone knowing my name. My second semester, I did the same.

Well this semester I decided to switch things up a little. I thought it may be time to try to socialize. Most people think I don’t socialize because I was homeschooled when the reality is, I’m just an introvert.

Because of my history in dealing with bullying, I try to not disclose too much information about myself. Not because I’m not proud of who I am, but because I don’t have time to deal with people picking on me. I thought college was full of adults who don’t pick on people, but boy was I wrong. These people are always picking on everyone! So I would rather not give them ammunition. I don’t mention being homeschooled, having CF, being a child actor, or anything else that would start a conversation I don’t feel like having.

Again, not because I’m not proud of who I am but because I would rather focus on my schoolwork.

Well, the other day someone asked me where I went to school and I can’t, nor do I want, to lie to anyone.

“I was actually homeschooled.”

The whole room froze and turned to stare at me as if I had just sprouted a few extra limbs. Whoops, I don’t think I should have said that. Then came the questions…

“How do you make friends?”

“So how did you get to college?”

“Were you able to learn everything normally?”

I don’t blame anyone for being curious, but I certainly don’t appreciate the rude glares directly at where I’m sitting. I kindly answer their questions and suggest I get back to my work, but the damage has been done. I get those same looks in the hallway, in the bathroom, walking back to my car. Yet again, it seems I have become “the weird girl” and I don’t care in the slightest. I am absolutely weird and I wear it proudly.

So perhaps I’ll start saying whatever I want, disclose whatever I feel like. It simply does not matter. If me being “weird” helps people open their minds, that’s exactly the kind of effect I want to have.

I’m still learning how to navigate school, college, assignments, and friendships. Those things will continue to change. But in the meantime, I think it’s best if I live as my authentic self. If people look at me with a rude look on their face, perhaps I’ll just smile back and wave. I’m a proud weird girl.

Note: I feel some slight context may help deepen your understanding of this post. I live in an extremely small, rural town. Most people that live here have never travelled further than an hour away over the course of their lives. Everyone knows everyone, and they all have the same 3 last names because their families have lived here for generations. People from out of town who have lived different lives are rare in this area, and I happen to fall into that category. So when somebody mentions something taboo or unusual, it tends to get a large reaction. I will happily accept some rude staring because it could certainly be worse. I admire how tightly knit this community is, however I think it would benefit the people living here to be exposed to different personalties, cultures, or maybe a girl that has CF and was homeschooled.