As many people know, fall in college is for getting involved; plugging into the campus around you; putting feet in as many doors as you can just to say you tried. Involvement on campus can look like a lot of things from fall recruitment to a service organization, planning events, Student Government, community outreach, study abroad, etc. most of which look alike, Hey! Want to get involved? Let's boost your resume! Want to change the world? Want to be in the best club on campus with cool T-shirts? All of which culminate in the ever-so-popular -- free food (yes, usually in all caps on the flyer and the only thing you really paid attention to on the whole piece of paper. But that's okay, you are not alone).
I seem to be on this kick of not being able to say no. It's being going on for about 21 years or so and I'll let ya know if anything ever changes! However, I have come to find out -- this is not necessarily a bad thing! This flaw, if you will, has given me the courage to apply and interview for programs and committees and positions that I would never have thought of doing in the past! The things I'm involved in now mean much more to me and the development of finding out who I am, than another filled spot on a resume.
The best part about being involved, college and I guess life in general, is that you get out of it what you put into it! In my opinion, some of the best organizations on campus culminate in one day or one event that is the celebration of all of your hard work throughout the year! Things like Fusion, DanceBlue and Relay for Life all have that in common; someone somewhere, and often lots of someones in lots of places put in hard work to make these events happen- but for you, you get out of it what you put in! All you really have to do is come to one event on one day and you're involved, you've made it! Sometimes, just one day is all it takes to change the rest of your life!
Being involved and courageous on campus to get involved in things I wouldn't normally do is what changed my life and helped me figure out who I am. How can you get involved? I am here to tell you about a little gem at the University of Kentucky called Relay for Life. Relay for Life is a year-long fundraising effort to raise funds and awareness for the support of people and families battling cancer through the American Cancer Society. Relay for Life at UK is a 12-hour relay walk in which teams gather to stay up all night and walk in memory of those we have lost, in honor of those who have survived, in hope of a cure and to fight back to cancer.
In May 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington, ultimately raising $27,000 to help the American Cancer Society fight the nation’s biggest health concern cancer. A year later, 340 supporters joined the overnight event. Since those first steps, the Relay For Life movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising nearly $5 billion to fight cancer. You can be a part too!
Relay for Life at UK will be in April, but the time to start is now! Start a team or join one, share with your friends and family and don't just stop there! Together, let's be a College Against Cancer, let's be a country against cancer! With your help, we will be one step closer! Click here to start your own team and get to work- cancer doesn't sleep! Check us out on Facebook , Twitter @ukrelayforlife and Instagram @ukrelay to stay up to date!
Relay for Life not for you? That's okay! Or just want to see how you can get involved? UK students login at OrgSync with your LinkBlue ID and put yourself out there! You never know until you try!
I encourage you to do just that, in every aspect of your life -- whatever avenue it may be, just do it!
