Watercolor portrait of a young woman smiling, wearing a pink shirt and has curly red/brown hair.

This artwork was first displayed in an exhibit at the GVSU Mary Idema Pew Library that explored how intimidating entering the college life can be. It included portraits and interviews of GVSU students that discussed leaving their comfort zones and dealing with stress.

“I was afraid of acceptance because this is a big school, and people can be mean. I was afraid that people wouldn’t accept me as a person, and I am not afraid of it anymore because I have met a lot of people who enjoy me. In high school everyone is so judgmental. If you aren’t that cookie cutter person everyone is like ok, get with it. And then you get to college and everyone says you’re beautiful and loved.

If I could talk to my younger self, I would say to be accepting of people and more accepting of myself and just be honest with myself. Will I go to 8am class? No. Do I like naps? Yes. And just tell myself I don’t have to be like everyone else because everyone is different. It is so common sense but you don’t always think that.”- Anonymous Portrait Subject