I’m a girly girl who loves to shop, go out with friends, watch football, listen to hip-hop and drink Starbucks. Looking at me, you would never know I’m different.

However, when I was 3 years old, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a mild autism spectrum disorder. It’s not severe, but it makes social interaction somewhat difficult.

I’ve always struggled to make friends and had difficulty retaining them. My symptoms became less noticeable as I got older, but I still had trouble with social situations. I always felt like I never really fit in, especially during middle and high school. But hasn’t everyone felt that way at some point?

When I graduated from high school, I decided I was going to try to be a successful overachiever. I was insecure and wanted others to accept me.

I participated in recruitment and joined a sorority, and I still think it is one of the best decisions I’ve made. I found people who accepted me for who I was, and I was happy. However, I can’t say the same for other activities I tried.

I became involved in countless clubs, but I never felt it was enough. I applied for and was rejected from honor societies. Out of the hundreds of people I met through leadership and political activities, I could only count my true friends on one hand. In my over-involvement, I got lost worrying about impressing others.

I wasn’t happy with where I allegedly belonged. With the exception of my sorority, all the activities I tried to be a part of left me stressed and often hating myself. As a fifth-year senior, I was already an alumna of my sorority. I was filled with loneliness.

Everything changed when I became involved with the Catholic campus ministry. I finally had a home on campus, a place I belonged. Everyone truly cared about me. I picked up modeling and acting, which I loved doing when I was younger but had shoved aside in college. I also loved my new major in telecommunication and film and took my work seriously. Since beginning college, it was the first time I genuinely felt happy.

College truly is about finding who you are and where you belong. Because I have Asperger’s, it was harder for me. I’m self-conscious about it showing up in my schoolwork. I worry about how it will affect me in finding a job, making friends or finding a boyfriend. I’m still lonely sometimes.

But I don’t let it define me.

For a while, I was ashamed of having it because it made me feel ugly; however, I have accepted that although it has brought me many challenges, it’s simply part of who I am. After graduation, I want to work in media, but I also want to try modeling and acting on the side. I’m already proud of how far I’ve come, so why stop now?

People can accept me for who I am or not; I don’t care either way because now I have friends who do.

Find where you belong, whether it’s the SGA, intramurals, greek life or a campus ministry. Forget the honors and awards. Finding yourself is the greatest achievement you can have during your time at the University. Find who you are and not who others want you to be. Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back from being who you are. Just go for it.

Rachel Wilson is a senior majoring in telecommunication and film. She is graduating in December.