As a student at a university that is largely commuter and non-traditional, myself included in the commuter category, my freshman and sophomore years of college were spent draining my gas tank with frequent visits from school to home and vice versa. I hated my university, and I couldn't wait to graduate and get out.

Then, fall semester of my junior year, something magical happened. My co-worker begged and begged and begged me to apply for the Marketing Director position in the organization she was involved in on campus. (I mean, it was paid, so how could I say no?) Naturally, I applied and to my surprise, I got the position! And that, my friends, is when everything changed. I suddenly had 13 office hours to fill per week, and didn't have time to go home between classes. For the first time, I had somewhere to hang out between classes, and I started making friends. Friends from Student Government, Greek life, and anything else began to emerge and I could not have been happier. From there, the door opened and I had so many opportunities to explore what I wanted! I went through formal sorority recruitment, I joined Raiderthon, a 15-hour dance marathon that raises money for our local children's hospital, and now I am on the Dean's Student Advisory Board of my college. I know, it seems like a lot. And it is, but there are so many things I have gotten out of being a student leader! Here are 10 of the most important things I have gotten out of being involved, and I hope that if you're not involved, this will motivate you to start your journey!

1. How to Balance and How to Stay Organized

Between homework, projects, finals, and deadlines from your organization, you will be the master of organization. I would invest in a planner first. And then you will be obsessed with it and will literally feel naked when you leave your house without it.

2. The Importance of Time to Yourself

When all you do is transition binders, read meeting minutes, and participate in events and work on projects, you need a little time to yourself. Finally collapsing onto your bed after a long day and watching a few episodes of that new show you're binging on Netflix is one of the best feelings.

3. A Lot of Free Stuff

I honestly don't remember the last time I bought a T-shirt, and I have like three more polos than I would like to have... and basically my whole drawer is filled with sorority shirts. So, take advantage of your free tanks and T-shirts and use them frequently. If they're ugly, use them as a dish rag or a rag to wash your car with.

4. Leadership Awards

Every year, our Office of Student Activities gives out Leadership Awards and last year, #humblebrag, I got awarded "Distinguished Established Student Leader" that came with a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card and a really beautiful glass award. Plus it looks really awesome on your resume.

5. Realization of What You Are Capable of

If you would have told me in high school that I would be involved in so many student organizations in college, I would have thought you were crazy. In high school I never joined anything, and was kind of a loser, honestly. If you would have told me that I would be dancing for 15 hours in front of hundreds of people, I would have laughed in your face. I realized how capable I am of keeping up my grades, making friends, and enjoying life through being involved in organizations on campus! And even though I'm super busy, I absolutely love it.

6. Hidden Talents!

Who knew that I knew how to market events? Who knew that I had killer dance moves and could speak in front of crowds and not be super annoying?? Who knew that I could manage eight people? I sure didn't! Until I tried it.

7. Future Career?

Through my marketing director position, I realized that I'm actually really good at marketing. And by managing a whole committee, I realized what I need to work on and what I'm already good at—skills that will help you in your future career. As a student leader, you get to try so many different things and possibly find where you could fit in in the job market.

8. The Lost Concept of "Free Time"

Basically, I have no free time and I live on campus. Do I regret it? Nope! Because while on campus I get to catch up with friends and rub elbows with the "higher ups." And believe it or not, I have time to work on projects and papers while I'm in an environment where I'm actually motivated to do so. Unlike if I was lying in bed with my dog, teetering on the edge of my moral compass on Netflix or revise a six-page paper. Netflix wins every time.

9. Lifetime Friendships

Some of my best friends have been made while being crazy involved in college. My sorority family is definitely one of my better examples. Also, I met my boyfriend through Greek life, so I can't complain! It's always nice to see your friends when they walk past your on-campus job and stop and talk for a few minutes, even if it's about organization-related things. You don't have to worry about going to happy hour after meetings because you know that your student leader friends were already thinking about it.

10. Gratitude and Humbleness

Is humbleness a word? Well, it is now. I am forever grateful to the people who urged me to start my journey on the student leadership train. I wouldn't have gone through sorority recruitment if my friend hadn't asked me to, and I definitely wouldn't have been a morale captain if my classmate didn't tell me to apply. I am also very humbled by all the opportunities that being involved has given me (like, I got free concert tickets today), and I am eternally thankful to everyone I've met along the way.