When you first move into your college dorm, it seems like involvement is everyone's favorite word. There are flyers everywhere trying to get you to join a club, try out for a team, etc.

Once you are involved, leadership roles are available, and while it may seem intimidating to go for these roles, they are so rewarding.

Involvement, to me, means more than just a title you held in a club or organization in high school, or the opportunity to write about your own importance in high school on a college application.

In my own experience, being involved in more than just my individual academic success was deeply impactful on my own outlook on life and my desire to bring joy to others, along with encouraging them in their aspirations.

In the end, a life lived for others is a life that one can be proud of.

Leadership roles give you the opportunity to be a role model to those who are younger than you, and as you move through your college career, having the opportunity to mentor freshmen and other students makes an impact in both their lives and in yours. Leadership roles, to me, are so meaningful because I vividly recall looking up to the upperclassmen in high school and as a college freshman this past year.

Conclusively, being a leader in various roles in high school and college both enriched my own sense of self and helped others, encouraging my peers to aim high.

Encouraging others to aim high and become strong leaders themselves, by organizing events and service opportunities, giving back to their community, and being role models to others.

Being a leader means encouraging others and lifting them up, even when you aren't getting the glory.

It would be easy to accept the position and leave it at that, just a title. But, when you look past yourself and see the entire picture and just how much your puzzle piece fits into the larger scale of things, your whole outlook is changed. By being a leader in organizations in college, you can step into being a mentor, an encourager, a listening ear, a voice of support, and a friend.

In the end, your legacy during your college career is not what you say you will do, but what you actually do, and how you build up others. I would encourage everyone who is a part of a college organization to apply or interview for a leadership role, as it really does shape your college experience just as much as it helps the organization you are a part of to grow and become better.

It may seem intimidating from the outside looking in, but the truth is that most leaders do not see themselves as leaders until they take that leap of faith and aim higher.

In every way, being in leadership roles in college has enriched my college experience more than I ever thought possible, and I would highly encourage anyone to just go for it.