THE ART OF THE DIMINISHING SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

THE ART OF THE DIMINISHING SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Butterflies are beautiful creatures, not because they can fly and experience a world beyond the

reach of their former selves but because they evolve. They don't sit and talk about change, they

become that change: transforming from that green caterpillar that you'll wrinkle your nose at, to

creatures with colorful artistic wings you can't help but stare at.

That's exactly what I should have done in level 100 - evolve!

I was supposed to turn from the frisky wide-eyed fresher in blue jeans and my favorite red shirt,

to a bold, confident individual. But who could blame me? I was just used to my caterpillar-like

surroundings; the same senior high school class, same dormitory and same compound with the

same people for three years.

So, I came with the fresh-faced, default setting of getting to know my classmates as time went

on. Oh, how terribly wrong I was!

My first class found me rushing into NNB, with a couple of  other students who didn't look an inch like freshers, and students who had been outside the classroom for the past thirty minutes.

On that fateful day, I did make a friend. A friend that'd remain my only friend for the entirety of

my first year, because, as luck would have it, we had every single class together.

But the sense of accomplishment of getting a new friend made me giddy with joy of the

possibility of my friendship circle widening.  Until my reality came crashing down in the sixth week of my second semester!

When I realized, all I had done was go to class, take a seat beside my good friend and return home. Nothing more, nothing less.

My evolution into that beautiful butterfly had stopped and I didn't even realize it.

Somehow, the first year was coming to an end and all I had to show for it was a couple of good

grades and a single good friend.  Don't get me wrong. It wasn't inherently a terrible experience, but I had missed out on the vibrant university experience right under my nose.

I, the once avid social butterfly, had little to no club activity, no friends outside my senior high school, and a handful of networking opportunities that I failed to take advantage of.

That wasn't the end of my academic journey, but it was the end of a year I'd never get back.

So, dear growing caterpillars, step into your new world with the enthusiasm and excitement of

Alice in Wonderland.  Speak to people. Make friends. Join that club. Go for that concert.  Say yes to opportunities that scare you. Join that religious group and even better, keep those grades up.  Because the university isn't just a place to learn and earn that degree- it's your stage.

Take charge. Explore. And become the main character. Discover who you are in the process.

Evolve into that beautiful butterfly; never remain the caterpillar.

Authored by: Akinloye Fatia

Published by: Arthur David