Hear me out, do you suffer with social anxiety? by Alexander

Hear me out, do you suffer with social anxiety? by Alexander - December 2025 Scholarship Essay

“Hear me out,” a phrase most commonly used before a ludicrous thought is spoken, is my favorite phrase. I use it in all of my interactions to spark change and encourage critical thinking in those around me. The ability to be heard is a gift that many students never fully achieve during their college careers, and one that many adults continue to struggle with throughout their lives.
This was once my greatest flaw. I mumbled or failed to speak loudly when it mattered. Through this I discovered that the inability to confidently express one’s ideas prevents personal growth, and limits the social lives of students around the world, but most notably Drexel students. Often I found myself in friend groups that were equally as quiet as I am. In these groups the social capabilities are so limited that the definition of a friend is heavily stretched in this scenario. Through public speaking and debate I got myself out of that trap. I speak publicly about my thoughts knowing I will not please everyone, but at least people are hearing me out and I will obtain at least one new perspective.
As a sophomore at Drexel University, I believe this problem should end. With my vision, every student should focus on being heard by applying their creativity and critical thinking to every conversation. These are essential skills for success in college, and for leadership, innovation, and the community. Our time as students is finite, and the impacts we make will fuel future generations, but the impacts can only be made if we are heard, and if we innovate!
The Drexel Undergraduate Student Government Association has the opportunity to fulfill this goal. As the student body president, I would achieve this by working with smaller organizations such as Drexel Speaks, a public speaking club to provide them with public spaces to perform and present. This push would be the most budget friendly social exercise that provokes students to be heard and speak beyond their comfort zones and encourages them to apply what they believe and learn in class to public discussions.
Through organized public gatherings, students could be incentivized to participate by being given five minute intervals to speak on subjects they are passionate about. After these intervals students can ask questions or someone else can take the stage, to speak on something they believe or continue the conversation. This is beyond mingling and a social event, because students are likely to speak to a presenter than to invoke a conversation themselves. Additionally it inspires topics to be brought up that others may not usually speak publicly about, which starts relationships. To be heard is the goal and it is the beginning of the end to social anxiety.
Hear me out, it will be life changing if every student felt confident enough to speak their mind. If social anxiety no longer silenced conversations, more problems could be solved, less people would feel depressed or alone, and the world would be more likely to progress in a meaningful way. Hear me out, if innovation flourished in a protected, respectful space where ideas could be tested and discussed then there would be less problems trying to start change across the world. It starts at Drexel, where I am the student body president, and I am willing to hear you out.