Boone and the campus have so many activities to offer and I wasn't used to so much busy activity. Maybe my former university was lacking or maybe I didn't make the effort to look around.

Regardless, I vowed to find more opportunities and live a more "carpe diem" lifestyle in Boone.

Unfortunately, it didn't take long for me to meet plenty of students who spent weekends alone in their hometowns or apartments.

It only took a little longer for me to become one of them.

In college, it's easy to get sucked into a vortex of routine once the newness of the area has subsided. After the initial two months of attending parties and shows, my Thursday nights became dedicated to homework. Fridays were for naps and movies.

It's easy for me to disappear into a weekend of good books and cups of tea, but it doesn't necessarily make me happy. As an introvert, I've learned that I'm not socially inept or awkward - I'm just socially lazy.

To fix this problem, I pulled out my calendar and found a few events. Each weekend as I write this column, I'm going to push myself to get out of my apartment and into anything that's going on in Boone.

I started my quest this weekend at Blowing Rock's 14th annual Winterfest. Blowing Rock is an adorable, quaint town and beginning the morning in the cool mountain air was a great change of pace.

And believe it or not, watching people leap into the freezing water of Chetola Lake at Blowing Rock's Polar Plunge was an incentive to consider participating in our own version this February.

After the plunge, I made my way down Main Street, casually walking and taking in the hustle and bustle, from winter sales to children playing in the park. If I'd had more money, I definitely would've capitalized on those sales for future apartment decorations.

After resting up from the early morning, I decided to end the day closer to campus. I went to Galileo's to check out Nice to Meet You, James. I'd never been to the restaurant and bar before and I loved the ceiling lights and overall ambiance - they even have fondue and s'mores.

Nice to Meet You, James was fantastic - they brought a ton of energy and talent to their show.

I'm looking forward to filling this semester with the best Boone has to offer, from sports to arts to the great outdoors.

I also hope to break down some stereotypes about Boone's lack of entertainment or activities. I'm convinced that there are interesting people and places to be seen all over.

I'm determined to find them.

Brianna Linden, a sophomore public relations major from Hickory, writes about breaking out of her introverted tendencies and learning to explore.