By Casey Shaw, Content Tutor
If there is one thing I have come to learn in college besides all the academics, it is that sitting around all day in a dorm room and only leaving to go to class does not translate to making the most out of my college career.
As a freshman, I was uneasy, unsure of who I was and who I wanted to be. I was not involved in anything. Then, in the beginning of my sophomore year, I heard that Peer Mentor and Orientation Leader positions would be available. I chose to attend the informational meetings, and immediately, things started changing for me.
I was not sure exactly what would be expected of me as Peer Mentor but I was not nervous on the first day of FYS, Can You Paint Sounds. I was excited to try and ease the nerves of freshmen in their first classes and excited to get started working directly with Dr. Whitney. Professors understand the academic side of classes, but if students have concerns and are afraid to talk with a professor, I am able to be there for them, and can help, one peer to another.
As an orientation leader, I stood in front of all the incoming freshmen on orientation day, and saw their uneasy faces. I remembered that I was once there, too. All day long I was with the girls, making them feel more relaxed, showing them the “ins and outs” of life at SJC. Slowly, I saw their nervousness turn to excitement as they began talking to their future classmates. I felt such a sense of pride.
Taking on new roles was addictive. I chose to run for Treasurer of the SGA. I also decided that I wanted to help others by being a tutor in psychology and sociology at the CAE.
I was not always involved. In high school, I only played one sport and joined one club. I got by. I had my friends. But there was no true excitement in going to school. I found no real “need” to do anything more than attend classes.
SJC, on the other hand, has given me a sense of “excitement” and has made me want to “give back.” Maybe it is the fact that I can call SJC my “home away from home” or maybe it is because this place has given me so much.
No longer am I petrified of getting in front of classes. I have a sense of confidence and trust in myself and the decisions I make and the actions I take. I am also more open to meeting new people and overall, I am less shy. My recommendation to all of you is to get involved as much as you can without allowing it to get in the way of your studies. You will see real changes in yourself. You might as well start now!
Casey, this is so encouraging. I was the same way when I first started in college. I was very quiet; however, it took me until my upperclass years to fully break out of my shell. I still struggle with my anxiety, but I am much more outgoing than when I was in high school.
Thank you so much for sharing.