As I write this post, I am nearing the finish line of my five-year bachelor’s degree in psychology. When I reflect upon my undergraduate years, I feel truly amazed at my progress in stepping out of my comfort zone over this period of time.

Throughout my first two years of university, numerous volunteer and research opportunities presented themselves. At that point, I recall feeling overwhelmed by the thought of trying something new while simultaneously feeling like I was not accomplishing enough within my degree. One such opportunity was the psychology honours program, which I completely dismissed as a future option during my first year; this was particularly due to the conference presentation component and my limited understanding of what truly constituted psychological research. The thought of presenting research, let alone conducting my own study, felt terrifying and so far beyond the realm of possibility for me.

So, how exactly did I overcome such intense fear and eventually find myself enthusiastically seeking out new experiences? Well... it definitely did not happen overnight. Classes slowly returned to an in-person format after the COVID-19 lockdowns settled and my interactions with peers significantly increased. While collaborating with classmates on group projects, I learned more about the opportunities I had initially turned down and received encouragement to try them.

After extensive consideration, I decided to give something a try in my third year. I sent out applications to become a volunteer for both a distress line outside of the U of A and a lab of interest at the university, eventually receiving acceptance into both positions! Being involved in two new organizations at once was an unfamiliar transition, though I eased myself into both and slowly became comfortable and gained confidence. My experiences in these positions served as a foundation for me to step outside of my comfort zone once again.

Towards the end of my third year, I took two steps that would shock the first-year version of myself: I applied to the psychology honours program and, subsequently, the Peer Support Center to gain further hands-on research experience and become a supportive listening volunteer. Both of these new roles were out of my comfort zone when I began them, but to a lesser extent than they were during my first and second years of university due to some of the previous steps I had taken out of my comfort zone.

At present, I am elated to share that I have had such a rewarding experience so far volunteering at the PSC and I presented my honours thesis proposal at a conference! I feel incredibly proud of myself for the progress I have made in stepping out of my comfort zone and also quite eager to entertain new experiences, even if they are unfamiliar and appear challenging.

One thing I learned throughout this journey is that stepping out of my comfort zone was a gradual process that took both time and patience. I did not just one day decide to jump into the things I feared most (like joining the honours program), rather I approached opportunities closer to my comfort zone at first. Taking that first step outside of my comfort zone was the hardest part, but once I adjusted to a new situation, it became increasingly easier to take future steps. I found it beneficial to list or visualize all potential experiences based on how far out of my comfort zone they were, and first tried whatever felt the closest to my comfort zone.

I also learned that the process of stepping outside of my comfort zone was not necessarily linear, and each new experience I took up came with several challenges. It would be dishonest to say that my journey was smooth and that my fears disappeared entirely. When we dive into something unfamiliar, it can take some time to feel comfortable. It is also completely okay to make mistakes, especially when it is something we have never experienced before. Sometimes, my fears would return full force when I made a mistake in any of my new roles, and I even questioned whether taking that step out of my comfort zone was the right decision. But, by slowing down, showing myself kindness, and treating my mistakes as learning opportunities I was able to embrace the experience and gain confidence for future steps.

Finally, I cannot solely credit myself for taking those first steps out of my comfort zone in my third year of university. The words of advice and encouragement from my peers served as a reminder of my potential and that I, too, could find success in new experiences. Surrounding ourselves with people who not only encourage us to try new things but also support us when challenges arise can bring some sense of comfort back into our journey. I found a lot of that support through other individuals in my program who were either in a similar position to myself or who had introduced me to a new experience that they had recently tried. Connecting with supportive others can take time, especially if one is new to university life and is still adjusting to all the transitions it brings. This piece of information is by no means essential for one to step outside of their comfort zone, though it can assist in taking that first step and can sometimes be a significant part of stepping outside of our comfort zone.

To anyone out there feeling nervous about leaving their comfort zone, I hear you. It is understandable to feel uncertain of where to start and fearful of what lies beyond that first step. Although stepping outside of one’s comfort zone can look different for each person, in my experience the process became easier with practice, and learning to show myself kindness was crucial for helping me navigate each new and unfamiliar experience.

You are more than welcome to visit the PSC if you are experiencing challenges with this aspect of your undergraduate journey. For those interested in getting involved as a student, take a look here!


Author Bio:
My name is Alex Garcia (she/her). I am currently completing my fifth and final year of my degree as a BA Honours Psychology Major, and this is my second year volunteering with the PSC. Outside of school and volunteering, I love to go on walks in the Edmonton River Valley and spend quality time with friends and family (which of course includes my cat).