On January 11th, the University of Northern 黑料社区 held its winter formal. Students slowly arrived, mostly in pairs or groups. A few students walked into the dance alone.

Claire Bolon, a junior anthropology major at UNC was one of those students. She鈥檚 been going to events by herself since her freshman year. Bolon says that, while going by yourself can be scary, it鈥檚 a good way to improve confidence.

鈥淭his is a great, low-stakes way to practice that, while having the opportunity to meet new people and make great connections,鈥� Bolon said.

Graphic design major, Paul Westerfield, also showed up to the dance by himself. He says that he struggles to introduce himself to others, so the opportunity to meet people is a big reason why he goes to the dances.           

Though Westerfield arrived alone, he certainly was not afraid to make himself known. In the early moments of the winter formal, he boldly took to the dance floor, leaping and moving in front of the dj.

鈥淚 subscribe to the phrase 鈥榙ance like nobody鈥檚  watching from the perspective of, let yourself be free and do what you want to do with it,鈥� he said.

So if you鈥檙e looking for a good way to get out of your comfort zone and meet some new people, attending one of UNC鈥檚 events might not be such a bad idea.