When you're a shiny new first year and you are led around campus during your 1787 orientation week by your FrOGS, you're told a lot of things: get involved, do your homework, go to class, make friends, and avoid getting trapped in the JMU bubble. I remember being told this by my FrOGS my first year at JMU and kind of just brushing it aside thinking, "I'll never let that happen!" I have bad news for you, self: you didn't just get trapped in the bubble, you were wrapped in it and blinded by it's perfect Bluestone goodness. Additionally, I have bad news for all my fellow Dukes: the JMU Bubble is so real. Sorry, but sometimes the truth hurts. I'm hoping that by telling you now, you will hopefully be inspired to explore life outside of the bubble before it's too late.

Now that I'm a senior and I'm compiling my list of things I'd like to do before I graduate, I'm starting to notice that some of the things on my list honestly shouldn't be there. There are things on my list that I could have easily checked off two or three years ago if I had just opened the door of the bubble for a minute or two. Sure, I studied abroad, I joined a wonderful fraternity where I found my forever friends, and I served as a FrOG for some of the greatest girls I know. I'm so proud of all of these things, but it doesn't mean that I didn't fall victim to the comfort zone that is the JMU campus. I found my place on this campus, which is such an important thing to do in college, but it's equally important to learn from that place and share what you've learned with the community.

JMU is the most wonderful place on earth. There is no denying that. The amount of amazing that is available on this campus isn't readily available on other campuses in this country. We are truly blessed to go to such a great University with so many on-campus opportunities to get involved in and make a difference. I know better than anyone that it is all too easy to get comfortable within the confines of this beautiful campus. However, if I had one word of advice to first years, or any of my other fellow Dukes for that matter, it's please explore the wonderful area outside of the bubble. Look for volunteer opportunities in the Harrisonburg community. Go hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Go eat a Greg Brady from Jack Brown's downtown. Take a visit to Blue Hole and get your adventure on. There is so much more to being a Duke than just rocking purple and gold and talking about how amazing E-Hall is. Being a JMU Duke is about inspiring change and being that change. How are you going to change anything if you're trapped in the bubble? Take a walk. Learn about the community and offer a part of yourself to it, because when senior year rolls around, you're going to really wish that you had.