Senior year of college is full of expectations.

This summer, college seniors everywhere created a picture in their mind of how they would like the year to unfold. It looks different for everybody. Some college seniors are simply hoping to pass their classes and walk across that graduation stage come springtime.

Others are hoping to get smashed every weekend and hey, if they fail a few classes here in there, they’re ok with staying an extra semester. Some could care less about their degree, but as long as their Instagram posts are liked by a few hundred, they’re good.

Some are taking an overload of credits, applying to grad schools, and building up an impressive resume filled with hundreds of volunteer hours. Some are working part-time to make ends meet and keep their bank account out of the negatives. Some college seniors are hoping to break a school record in their sport or qualify to a national competition.

But most would agree that they desire to leave a lasting impact at their college. Most people would like to be remembered for at least something. In years to come, to be considered an influential person on campus. They may be long gone, but their positive legacy has stuck.

This year, I’m a college senior and I will admit my initial expectations were ambitious. As a result, on the second day of classes, I hit a wall.

I walked into a meeting to discuss my senior research project. I say mine, because the idea was completely my own and involved a group of participants I had been working with for an entire year. Twice a week, for one whole year, I lead an exercise class for individuals over the age of 65.

I incorporated strengthening and functional exercises designed for the elderly population. I was unpaid but I brought every ounce of energy and excitement I could each day. Over the year, I developed relationships and built trust and I had the privilege to combine my knowledge in Exercise Science and Physical Therapy, both fields which I’m looking to pursue after graduation.

So when I found out that I had to design and carry out a research project in order to graduate, I knew I wanted to work with this group of people. Research studies are much easier when they simply involve a survey or a one-time experiment. A study that involves a group of participants for a long period of time is much more difficult.

However, I decided to pursue a long-term study, regardless. I proposed my idea to my professor and classmates. I explained that I wanted to take an elderly population through a balance training program. At the time, my university had just received a very expensive and accurate piece of equipment for balance testing.

Eventually another classmate was assigned to my project, and a couple professors joined in as well. Currently, three underclassman are also joining the project and we have hopes to even publish this study in a professional journal next spring.

I’ll admit, I was proud of my idea as the semester roller in, but when we had our first meeting… I was traumatized. A professor had handed me a form, filled out and return to turn in for approval.

I skimmed the page, and half way down, I saw my name next to the word: Co-Investigator.

Wait… what? I jumped to the top of the page, my classmate’s name was next to Lead Investigator. Next to hers were two of my professors. I jumped back down to my name.

I was infuriated. This was so unfair. How could my research project have gotten into the hands of other people? Three other people were going to get higher credit for my project.

Granted, I didn’t do all the work once I launched my initial idea. My classmate had done the majority of the research and writing. She spent a lot of time filling out paperwork. But while she did this, I was investing in the group of people we would be recruiting for our project. I was building into the relationships I had already created and I would be the one executing the project over a course of 10-weeks.

Had I known my name would appear secondary to hers, of course I would have done all the work she had done. After all, I need this study to be fully mine in order that I can put this on my resume. I assumed she enjoyed putting the paperwork together because she always stayed on top of all of our deadlines. Meanwhile, I was in my competitive track season while trying to pass an 18-credit semester.

Together, I thought her and I made a great team. She stayed on top of our deadlines, while I continued networking and preparing our research proposal presentation. We were both athletes and over the course of the year, we each would have an off season while the other was in their competitive season which included traveling for competitions.

But why was my name half way down the page of our approval form when it belonged at the top with hers?

During the final portion of that first meeting, all I could think about was how I would approach my professor. How could I get her to move my name up to the top of the page and get the credit I deserved? I thought of what I would say, “Look, I don’t know if I can be in this study anymore. I want my own study, where I’m the Lead Investigator. After all, why pour so much time into something, only to receive half credit?”

Thankfully, I was too nervous to approach my professor afterwards and instead I went home to think. It’s there that God gripped my heart and shook it a little.

He humbled me and showed me how wrong I was for my selfish thoughts. Even though the situation may have been unfair, maybe I do deserve to be a Lead Investigator, my attitude shouldn’t be faltered. The energy I will pour into this study over the next semester should be the same regardless of my title, role, my “name on paper.”

And that’s where this article leads, are you a college senior who didn’t get the leadership role you wanted? Did you fail to receive the credit for your own work? Did someone else steal your idea and run with it? Did your coach give the captain role to another person on your team less deserving than you? Did your club nominate someone else not quite as hard working as you to be treasurer?

As seniors, our expectations may fall short. Life happens, and sometimes things become unfair. Let me encourage you the way God did with me this afternoon after I was majorly disappointed about my project, your ability to work hard and influence people shouldn’t depend on your position.

I think one of the most beautiful things is having a servant’s heart. Doing unto others what you would want them to do for you. Working hard to make something easier for another person, regardless of any credit you may receive. This can’t be done with selfish intent. To be a servant, you truly have to forget about yourself. But it’s more than rewarding in the end.

Let me close with this, please don’t wait until you have the perfect role before you take a stand. You don’t have to have any type leadership role before you can invest in other people’s lives and make a difference in the world.

To the college seniors reading this, will you commit this year to positively influencing those around you? Regardless of your title. Whether you’re an RA or not, will you be somebody that an underclassman can lean on for support? Whether you’re the president of your major or not, will you devote time to tutoring a freshman? Whether your coach appoints you as captain or not, will you spend time outside of practice helping out an underclassman?

I know for me, I’ve decided I won’t approach my professor about changing my name on that sheet of paper. Instead, I want to focus on my effort. I want to work as hard as a possibly can, knowing in the end, I may not receive due credit. But I know without a doubt my Father in heaven will see every effort I make and look down with a smile.

“Leadership isn’t a rank or position. It’s a decision to look after the person next to you.” –Simon Sinek