It's the sort of thing that floods your mom's Pinterest page and that can be seen on half of the motivational posters out there: Opportunity.

As this is my first article written for The Odyssey, and with New Year’s creeping up on us, it seems only fitting to write about new beginnings and opportunities. If I learned anything from my first semester in college it's that, if you want something, you actually have to go out and go for it. I know that might sound extremely cliché and, trust me, I know that it is, but I've found that it's true in my own experience.

I started my college career as most do, without knowing anyone around me. I was scared and a little lonely, but I was excited to find my group out there somewhere. In high school, I was one of those weird theater kids who was in all of the productions, walking around the hallways singing show tunes, and in the school vocal jazz group.

I had a hunch that college wouldn’t change my attitude on any of that, but I knew that I would have to go out there and prove to all of these unfamiliar faces that I was worthy of being involved. This wasn’t high school anymore, these new people had no idea who I was or what I could do.

Auditions were right around the corner and I was feeling a bit queasy, but I knew what I had to do and I believed in my ability to do the best that I could. Auditions came and I had the opportunity to showcase everything that I could do in a short period of time. I was nervous, a little shaky, and, to be completely honest, a tiny bit sweaty. The words of my high school director echoed through my mind, “If you’re not nervous you’re either too cocky or you simply don’t care.”

I did care. I cared an awful lot. I had never had such a huge opportunity before and by putting myself out there I was cast in one of four roles in the fall play "No Exit." I was also given a spot as a bass in the Le Moyne Jazzuits. All of this was as a first-semester freshman! Everything that I had wanted when coming into college had gone my way. I was on cloud nine and I couldn’t believe how well everything was going for me.

I immediately called up my mom to tell her the news and what she said that day will always stick with me. She told me something that I think that everyone needs to hear, so everyone reading this may take these words and apply them to their own lives in their own ways and listen to the wise words of Mama Hillenbrand.

She told me: “That’s what happens when you put yourself out there. You’re good, we knew that, but unless you go out there and show others, nothing will ever happen. You have to want it. Remember what they told you in scouts? ‘Yagottawanna.’ You have to go out there and just do it. Whatever it is, show up with your chin up and give it everything you have. If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

When I was asked to write for The Odyssey I knew that this was another opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. Well mom, I’m building my doors and getting those knocks. Thank you.