THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 16, 1994 TAG: 9412150060
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: LISTEN UP!
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
DEAR SMITHA AND JON,
How can you be yourself in school when there is so much pressure to fit in and conform? - Wondering
Dear Wondering,
Even in our diverse culture, there is still immense pressure to ``fit in'' in school, particularly in high school. However, the tendency to want to be accepted and to be a part of the crowd is human nature, and similar feelings can exist in almost any stage of life, so don't feel alone.
For some people, fitting in comes naturally, and they feel comfortable with themselves and who they are. For others, finding their place is a lot harder, and they may feel rejected or out of place. This can be for a variety of reasons. They may not relate to other people very well, and personal problems may make a person remain secluded and reluctant to open up to anyone.
Peer pressure and the need to fit in sometimes push people to do things they wouldn't normally do. When faced with a situation where you have to choose between pleasing others or speaking your mind, remember the quote ``This above all: to thine own self be true.'' Be yourself.
After all, chances are you will never see most of the people who you know in high school after graduation, so it won't matter if they thought that you belonged to the ``in group.'' However, it will matter whether you stated your opinion and stuck by it, or just agreed and embraced what was popular at the time. MEMO: Smitha Gottimukkala is a senior at Norfolk Academy. Jonathan Kolm is a
senior at Tallwood High. Their column appears biweekly in Teenology.
They accept questions on INFOLINE. Call 640-5555 and enter category
8335. Or write to them at 4565 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va.
23462. by CNB