In high school it was so unbelievably easy to get involved in clubs, sports, and extracurricular activities. College is different. College is this weird time in your life where you're still a young adult who attends school and listens to professors. Yet it's harder to get involved when you live off campus for your freshman year.
As many know, I was waitlisted my freshman year due to the overwhelming amount of students in my class coming to the university. Living off campus has its perks and downsides. I've tried many times to get involved in organizations and activities but eventually I just go so busy with school, friends, and work that I just let my excuses win.
Finally in my junior year, I decided I was going to make good to my promise with my mom. Instead of just going to school, work, and seeing friends I got involved.
Being involved in 3 volunteer/service based organizations, 2 student orgs, and on top of writing and editing for Odyssey with school and work has kept me a busy lady. But nothing makes me happier than getting to see my efforts being met by someone who needed my help. For example, I got to serve on Valentine's Day at Tiger Pantry (where you'll find me every Tuesday) helping fight food insecurities.
Getting involved at first was a pain. Many of the organizations that I'm involved in you have to apply to and get accepted, go through an interview process, and then start your training. But let me just tell you, the impact it's made on my life has been so beneficial and therapeutic that I want to continue volunteering and serving this summer.
My friends have noticed my attitude change on top of my already happy personality get even happier. Serving is such an underrated topic of conversation. We all need to get out and serve somehow. Even if it's just volunteering at a high school basketball game to work the concession stand or it's helping pick up trash on the side of the road those actions will help a domino effect.
I hope you start to make a commitment in your life to give back, to serve more with your heart, and help someone in your life.
Not only am I happier, I feel lighter. Being involved in school helps to make me feel like I have a purpose, that my opinion matters, and that I am making a difference. As soon as you step up and make a change in your life not only will you be happier but you'll start to change the lives of those around you. Nothing is too small to make a difference.
