Article: If you want to make a habit of coming out of your shell, then it's not just about mastering your social game in the moment. It's about making a habit of hanging out with people, attending new events, and keeping your social life active. You may say no to things because you're afraid of social situations, don't want to feel awkward if you don't know enough people at the event, or because you'd just rather hang out by yourself than with other people. Well, the excuses stop today.  The next time someone asks you to do something, ask yourself if you're just saying no out of fear or laziness, and not for a legitimate reason. If it’s fear keeping you in, say “no” to the fear and go out! You don't have to say yes to going to the "bug lover's" club of the random girl in your homeroom or to absolutely everything you're asked to do. Just make a goal of saying yes more often. You can do that. Part of coming out of your shell isn't just accepting to do what others want to do, but to start planning your own stuff, too. If you want to be known as a more social person, and one who is willing to put him or herself out there, then you should be the one to take the initiative some of the time. Even if you're just inviting people over to order pizza and watch Scandal, or asking a friend from class to go grab a cup of coffee, you'll be known as a person who has stuff going on.  Sure, that 'ol fear of rejection may be creeping up again. People may say no, but that'll be because they're busy, most likely. Plus, if you invite people to stuff, then they'll be more likely to invite you to do stuff. If you're an incredibly shy, introverted person, then yeah, it's unlikely that you'll be a big chatterbox after a month. Introverted people can't really become true extroverts, especially overnight, but they can certainly modify their behavior and attitude. Besides, you don't have to be a complete extrovert or to be the most outgoing person in the room to come out of your shell and emphasize your best qualities. That is, don't be frustrated if you can't get yourself to start dancing on tables and charming everyone in sight. You may not want that anyway. If you're the type who is a definite introvert, then you'll need time to recharge your batteries after a social interaction or just because. Classic extroverts gain their energy from other people, while introverts actually get drained from being around other people. And if your battery gets drained, then you need to refuel by giving yourself a few hours to be alone. Though you may be set on making your social calendar more packed, always remember to plug in some "me time," even if it feels inconvenient. Let's face it. At the end of the day, you may never be able to come out of your shell to a perfect stranger. However, as you get more comfortable with coming out of your shell, you can find the people who really get you and who really make you comfortable. Maybe it's just a group of your five close friends who really let you let loose, sing like an idiot, and dance to "The Macarena." But this core group can help you put yourself out there when it comes to the general public. Finding your people will help you feel more comfortable with yourself, gain confidence, and to come out of your shell in the long run. What could be better than that? If you have trouble coming out of your shell, then it may be because you tend to leave the room whenever you get uncomfortable. If you find yourself in a social situation where you don't know many people, don't have much to contribute to a situation, or just feel out of your element, then you may tend to leave, make an excuse for going home early, or just quietly back away from the scene. Well, no more walking away when the going gets tough -- instead, revel in your discomfort and you'll see that it's not as bad as you think. The more you make being out of your element a habit, the less you'll worry the next time it happens. Just take a deep breath, tell yourself it's not the end of the world, and find a way to make conversation -- or just to look like you're having a good time.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Start saying "yes" and stop with the excuses. Extend more invitations. Know that you can't change completely. Remember to recharge your batteries. Find your people. Grow from discomfort.

Schools are looking for very specific things when they read your personal statement. Make sure your submission succeeds in illustrating the qualities the advisory committee is looking for.  Proven achievements Critical and analytical thinking skills Language and writing skills appropriate to this level of education Evidence that you'll be a successful medical student Evidence that you'll be a good doctor Each school has its own requirements for writing your personal statement. Find out what they are, and follow them to the letter. Ignoring even a small detail will make you appear careless and unprofessional, and therefore a poor candidate for medical school.  Be sure your essay is the appropriate length by using the “Word Count” function in your word processing program. If you are applying through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), there is a 5,300 character maximum limit. This is about one and a half pages, single spaced. If the school lists specific formatting guidelines, use those. Otherwise, you can use standard formatting to create an essay that is easy to read on the page.  Type your statement single-spaced. Double space between paragraphs. Leave at least 1” margins on both sides, top, and bottom. Use a 12 pt. standard font such as Helvetica or Times New Roman. At the top of the page, center the title of your essay if you have one, or simply  type “Personal Statement.” You can also include your name, if you wish. If your essay impresses the board, the next step will most likely be a personal interview. Since you will probably be asked to discuss your essay, be sure you've written about things you will want to talk about during the interview. Go through your essay, and be certain you can defend every point. Try not to exaggerate your accomplishments, and don't pad your statement with fictional details. The school may verify the information you provide, especially if your essay seems too good to be true. If you're caught in a lie, you will definitely not be admitted. When you finish your final draft, ask a few people to read your essay and give you their honest assessment. Ask a favorite professor, a current medical student, or your doctor. Don't ask too many people to read it, or you may end up with too many conflicting opinions.
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One-sentence summary --
Understand the purpose of the personal essay. Follow instructions to the letter. Use standard formatting. Think about your interview. Prepare to defend it. Get feedback.