During my first two years at Ferris, I’d describe my involvement on campus as practically nonexistent.
I attended a few events for freshmen and a couple of meetings for registered student organizations, but was never committed. Once I got comfortable with my friends and classes, I didn’t really feel like trying anything else.
However, this past year I’ve started getting more involved. While it may have been a little late, with only three semesters left, I decided to take advantage of the opportunities in front of me and explore more of what Ferris had to offer.
The first thing I decided to do was get a job on campus. After looking at my resume, I realized that I’d need more experience if I’m graduating in the next year. Exploring on-campus jobs led me here, to the Torch, and a whole new side of Ferris.
Now, I wouldn’t consider myself a nosy person, and thought I was pretty aware of things on campus, but boy was I wrong. Every week, I’ll attend our meetings or read the articles that have been written and find out things about Ferris that I never knew.
It took the part of me that loves learning new things and staying educated to satisfy something that I didn’t know was missing. I get to explore the world of journalism while staying updated on all things Ferris, which is a win-win for me.
I also chose to join an RSO this year. I had gone to a few of their meetings in the past but never truly connected to the club or felt like getting more involved. After becoming friends with someone in the RSO, I was convinced to join again and explore what they offered.
Now, I enjoy it so much and have been given so many new opportunities to learn more about my major in the real world and attend very beneficial events.
The American Marketing Association has opened up my life to new people and experiences that I’m so grateful for. I got to go on a volunteer trip to Cedar Point, improve my professional and career development and much more. I even have the opportunity to attend a conference in New Orleans for a marketing competition. Honestly, freshman me would’ve been running away as fast as she could.
Getting involved on campus didn’t require joining every club I could or attending every event possible. I chose what I would be comfortable with and knew I would be interested in. Leaving my comfort zone and trying new things was one of the best things I could’ve done for myself this past year.
Looking back, I regret not putting myself out there earlier, but at the same time, I don’t think I was truly ready. Even joining an RSO or getting a job on campus took a pretty large push and support from other people.
So my advice, as someone who is not the most sociable of people, is to take whatever opportunity that stands in front of you, grab it and run. It might make you uncertain or uncomfortable. You may even feel lost when you start, but that’s just how you learn.
Starting something new and experiencing things outside of my comfort zone was the change I needed to learn more about myself and the things going on around me. I was scared to put myself out there. I mean, I was practically dragged into AMA by my friend and it still took me two years. Now, it’s one of my favorite things to put my time and energy into.
The little steps towards a new goal can feel like miles, but it’s progress. Getting involved on campus or even just in your classes may open up a whole new world of experiences.
Time and opportunities will always be available; you might as well make the most of them.