For a freshman stepping in the college life, it is always a concern about how his/her 'interactions' with the fellow seniors would go. It is said that the way others respond to you reflects the manner in which you present yourself. For a person who is not having any preconceived notions about you, it's your attitude that drives the conversation. 

It's true that you can't change yourself overnight, just to get the approval of every other person that you're going to meet. But yes, whoever doesn't synch with your thoughts ought to have a different perspective of life. And that's the best thing to learn from all these interactions. 'Cause the more you know about life, the better you live it.

It's not everyone's cup of tea to smile and acknowledge everything that's put up against them. The sense of being an introvert does surround you at some occasions, if not always. But it's highly unlikely to avoid these interactions, especially when all the activities are student-oriented. You'll be needing their guidance them in all the upcoming college years of yours. So it's better to cut away the feeling of unfamiliarity to ensure a sound tuning between you and them in future. 

So some day or the other, you'll need to open up in front of your seniors, if not on day 1. For the aforementioned students, the best route of escape is the following:

1. Agree to whatever the other person is saying. 

2. Do not cross-question his/her opinions.

3. Keep your thoughts to yourself.

4. Answer only what's being asked.

5. Do not interpret the situation according to yourself.

And there you go. You're now free to leave. But is that what you've come for in the college, to be submissive to any other guy? Well, that just can't be the apt getaway. As you go on interacting with people, you get to whom what to speak and more importantly, when to speak. That's what will go a long way. 

Being an extrovert shouldn't be your first call (just an opinion, mind you). 'Cause the things might seem to go your way but that won't be the actual case. Instead, you'll be soon considered arrogant, self-centred and a 'to-be-ignored' guy. Again, that's what the people will 'consider' but you certainly can't avoid that, can you? 

We live in a society where most of our demands and requirements are derived by our surroundings and the people we interact with. So you can't just go outright to have a stand so rigid that you neglect all the other worldly ideas. Being that sort of smart is what the primary objective of college is: To develop who you are and to connect with more of your peers. 

The best way to develop​ such traits in yourself is to learn from seniors, 'cause they have been in your shoes (at least academically) in the past. And more often than not, they can relate with your going-throughs more than anyone else. And they deserve to be thanked for their gratitude.

Thank you Seniors for testing me on your scales,

for letting me explore what I am.

Thank you for cracking me from inside,

so that I can bloom from within and cherish.

Thank you for proving me I am a failure,

and inspire me to evolve like the Sun.

Thank you for drowning me in the valley,

for exalting me to rise above every summit.