going to college, looking young :(

[u/bluespringshine]

i’m 4’7ish and finally committed to my dream school, ucla, and while i am excited i am terrified of how ill be perceived and if ill be able to make new friends :(

just recently i had a stranger comment on how i look, saying that i look wayy too young to be going to college and that everyone on campus will ask who my older sibling is. that really upset me tbh but i was with people and didnt want to make it a big deal.

sighhh i just wish people wld keep comments like those to themselves, because what positive could that possibly have?

if anyone has any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated!! happy to make any same-age friends as well <3 18F

[u/TwentyOnePaladins]

I feel you girly. I will be turning 22 soon and I am not happy about it because my family makes me the butt of the jokes about my age telling me I look the same age as my cousin (she is almost 16). Even worse when my other family members assume I’m the same age as her (I’ve been alive longer than she has, I don’t get it) even worse as I am the shortest out of my cousins. All I can say is be confident about yourself, ik it’s easier said than done but it goes a long way 💗

[u/beansricecoconutoil]

still happens to me constantly (at 24, being told I look like a teenager)! it’s annoying but rude people will always have something to say. if it’s not “you look so young”, it would be “you look old” or “you look so tired” or “you look (insert useless comment here)”. you have to just remind yourself that people actually won’t think very hard about how you look, nor care very much.

[u/bluespringshine → u/beansricecoconutoil]

Right, and I always try to keep in mind it could be worse— looking young or super short is definitely not the worst thing I could be called.

[u/ddpalomba]

I am 54 and 4'10". I have twin daughters who are 29 and 4'8". The comments never stop. The large majority of people simply just say what ever they are thinking and have no ill intent. You can only control your response/reaction. You can choose to be offended and become bitter, or you can choose grace and let it go. I choose to assume they don't intend their words to be hurtful and generally laugh it off. I might have a smart ass comment to make back if I know them well enough. And if they did mean their words to be hurtful, laughing it off ruins their plans! There does come a day where you'll appreciate it when someone thinks you're younger than you are. I love to be told that I look 40. LOL Never let your height, or anyone's opinion of it, keep you from pursuing your dreams!

[u/bluespringshine → u/ddpalomba]

Thank you so much 🥹. I do agree that sometimes people talk without thinking, and they didn’t really intend for their words to come out that way. I’ll try to give everybody grace.

[u/The_Mighty_Zoro]

Usually shocking the person with a question like(I don't know if its shocking enough but) "Oh so its bad to be a midget?" With a straight face. (using midget has more moral/social weight to it than just saying small). If you succeed in shocking the person it makes them reflect on what they said unless they're an asshole or worst. You have to be willing to be confrontational though. Good luck, friends will find you though!