By the time this comes out, it will have officially been a year.

On August 14, 2015 at 6:00 p.m., I finished my summer job working at a veterinary clinic. And before you ask, no; I don’t want to be a vet, nor have I ever wanted to be one, and certainly not after last summer. While the pay was good, and it was nice to not sit around my house all summer, the job was, for lack of a better word than the ones that come to my head: a literal crap-fest.

Then, I threw my powder blue scrubs in the trash, taped up my last box, and drove down to Austin the following morning. Who knew that once I closed the lid of that trash can, my life would change for good.

I settled in to my new residence hall fairly quickly, anxious to help welcome the new freshmen as part of my new job in the Transitional Experiences Council. Anchors, our extended orientation, and the rest of our Welcome Days events were just as fun as they had been the first year and I was beginning to feel like I had come back home again.

I started school that next Monday and also started officially working in my new job. That’s when the fire was lit, and I was a changed man, a man who was bitten by the involvement bug.

In the span of the past year, in order of when I became involved, I’ve been; the Second Year Experiences Council for the Transitional Experiences Council, a Resident Assistant, The Hilltop Mentors and Orientation Coordinator for the Hilltop Welcome Team, a campaign staffer for a (successful) presidential/vice-presidential run for our Student Government Association, a Content Creator for Odyssey (obviously). Oh, and a student.

Never in my life did I think I’d be the type of person who actually has to schedule lunch for themselves. Nor did I think someone would introduce me as, “Aaron Kennard: he does a lot of different things on campus." I was actively engaged in my high school, but never to the degree that I am at St. Edward’s. It’s exhausting, and at times so incredibly stressful, but the work is rewarding so it’s all worth it.

This year has been about a lot more than just getting more involved. I’ve found my passion this year. I’ve discovered how I can take my studies in communication, my love of social critique, my passion for sexual assault reform and for higher education and put them all together to work for a better world.

That’s ultimately why I come back every year, and love St. Edward’s so much. This school challenges its students to figure out what it is they want to change about the world and put a plan in motion to accomplish it. We’re encouraged to dream big, and equipped with the support to see those dreams through.

Beyond discovering my passion this year, I’ve discovered myself. I’ve figured out how to live my best life and make sure I’m enjoying every moment. I think this is why I’m so grateful for where I’ve gone in a year. I’m no longer that scared 19 year old who was intimidated by another three years of college. I’m the strong 20 (almost 21) year old who is ready for another year on the Hilltop!