So for context, I’ve always been super extroverted and have never really had issues making friends or feeling comfortable in social groups. I’ve had plenty of communities and friend circles in the past where I felt like I could be myself, no problem.
Now I’m in a really competitive academic program (less than 50 people), and something just feels off. I’ve noticed that I’m way more drained trying to socialize with this group, and when I do talk, it often feels like only a few people actually acknowledge it. There are two girls in particular who are especially cold, barely respond unless I directly speak to them, and even then it’s pretty minimal. When others are talking, they engage fully, make eye contact with each other, etc., but almost never with me.
Part of me wonders if it could be a race thing (I’m a person of colour, and the group is mostly white), but I also don’t want to jump to conclusions.
Nothing specific happened that I’m aware of. Has anyone else dealt with something like this before? How do you handle feeling excluded in small, tight-knit groups? Am I being bullied?