College is an exercise in mind, body and spirit alteration. You will enter your university of choice with one perspective, and you'll leave four years later with a new outlook on life. A big part of the college experience is exposure to new things. There are new facts to consider, and different types of people to exchange ideas and emotions with.



You cannot afford to be a hermit in college. Even if that's your default comfort zone, solitude in college is counter-productive. You need to go out and enjoy new experiences. You have to expose and introduce yourself to things that you would not experience under normal, at-home circumstances.

To truly experience this composite college world, you will need to embrace difference and diversity. Find people who aren't like you and talk to them. Learn from these alternative outlooks and develop different perspectives on life.

Here are five ways to embrace diversity in college, and open your mind.

1. Embrace socio-economic diversity

Don't just associate with people whose parents all belong in the same tax-bracket, reach out. If you drive a BMW, talk to a kid that rides the bus. If you've earned a full need-based scholarship, chat it up with a trust fund baby. Don't be totally tactless when approaching people, just start a natural conversation, and don't be afraid to talk about different financial experiences.

2. Embrace racial and cultural diversity

College's pride themselves on creating racial and culturally diverse student bodies. Some schools focus more on this than others. Do yourself a favor, and meet different types of people. In every university, you can find people from all over the world. Talk to them. Open your mind and accept different points of view.

3. Embrace political diversity

Find someone with a worldview that's completely different from your own. If you're a hippie, have a serious conversation with a Republican. Respectful debates between two opposite perspectives is always healthy, especially if you can keep the conversation from getting overly emotional. Learn what the other side thinks once in awhile, and be prepared to defend your beliefs in a rational manner.

4. Embrace religious diversity

Discuss religion with someone from a different denomination. Ask questions, but always be respectful of other people's religious beliefs. If someone is uncomfortable discussing their spirituality, then leave them alone. There are plenty of religious beliefs out there to compare and contrast. Start on a common ground and work towards mutual understanding.

Respect everyone you meet, regardless of their race, class, gender, religion, politics or sexual orientation. Seek out different perspectives; because the more you expose yourself to different types of people, the better you'll be able to function in this world of intersecting identities.