Ah, college, the time to really become yourself. That’s what the goal is at least, especially for the people who, like me, spent high school in this small, little bubble that you never really broke out of. College is where you take something sharp (metaphorically, of course) and pop the bubble right open. Well, that’s what you’re supposed to do. Not everyone does, and in my opinion that’s pretty much the worst thing to do
When I came to college my sole intention was to break out of that bubble I made for myself during high school. I never took risks, never really branched out, never took a chance that would break my bubble. Therefore, going to college I decided that I wanted to change that and start taking risks. Let’s just say that I didn’t exactly get off to such a good start. I even turned down a formal invitation to join The Voice because I didn’t think I was good enough. Yeah, I didn’t start off too well on my risk taking and bubble breaking.
I joined the Education LLC, which was a huge improvement for me, though! I pushed my bubble out farther than I did in high school, but I didn’t necessarily break it. I made some friends because of the LLC but probably not as many as I could’ve. I went to meetings, participated in activities but for the longest time I didn’t branch much further than the friends I had made and the guys in my hall that I talked to every now and then. It took some time, but I did finally break out of my proverbial bubble.
The Odyssey was actually what really started my process of breaking my bubble. I took a risk in even applying. I didn’t think I would be offered a position, let alone get it. I did get it though! (You clearly know this though, since that’s how you’re reading this article right now.) I was ecstatic and thrilled and beyond surprised! My bubble broke and my goal of branching out and doing more became all the more realistic.
I started talking to people in my classes more, which is something I didn’t do unless necessary during my first semester. I branched out more, I began talking to people other than the few people I knew from high school and the people I had become acquainted with on my floor. With my bubble broken, nothing seemed impossible, and it still seems like that.
Most recently I decided, completely unlike my high school self, to apply for a mentor position within my LLC. The LLC has helped me further myself and I know that there are people who will enter the LLC who will be like me, unwilling to break from their personal bubble to make themselves better. Those are the people who I want to help. I want to help mentees break free from the bubbles they grew up with. That’s what college is for, right?
Just remember it’s normal to grow up and have this bubble that you’re comfortable with, but sooner or later that bubble will have to break. Why not break that bubble in college, when the connections you make and the experiences you have will make all the difference when it comes down to job hunting?
