Jump in

College is about more than getting comfortable with discomfort. It’s about living your best life and going after what you want with enthusiasm. It’s about having a fantastic time, making great memories, trying new things, starting relationships which will last a lifetime, and figuring out who you are. It’s time to embrace the college experience and its myriad opportunities!

The time for thinking about all of the interesting things you could do while standing on the sidelines has passed. Now is your chance to jump in headfirst and take advantage of everything college has to offer. It’s a new semester and a chance to take new classes, live in a different place, meet new people, join new organizations, explore new interests, and re-invent yourself as whoever you most want to be.

Standing on the diving board

Jumping into a new life as a college student can be intimidating. It’s like standing on the diving board when you were a kid. The water is going to be cold. It’s going to be deep. You might get some water up your nose and it will hurt. You might end up belly flopping while everyone is watching. There are risks. Alternately, if you don’t jump, you’ll never feel the rush of the cold water, experience the joy of accomplishing something new, gain the confidence you earn from overcoming your fears or get to join in on the fun. When you think about it that way, the risks of not jumping might be bigger than the risk of taking the leap. Are you ready to take the risk and jump in?

So many choices

Having too many opportunities can also be overwhelming. When you have dozens of classes, clubs, organizations, and sports to choose from, sorting through all of the options, schedules, meetings, commitment levels and requirements can be enough to make you quit before you even get started. When you can’t decide what to do, you often end up doing nothing instead.

If you are facing this type of analysis paralysis, remember, you don’t have to try everything right away. Choose a handful of activities which look interesting and check them out. You don’t have to commit to being part of that organization forever or to playing that sport every day. Next semester (or next month!) you could choose something new and give that a try too. Spreading yourself around over those many different options will make you a well-rounded person with many interests and give you the chance to meet dozens of new people.

Maybe you will find something you feel really passionate about and decide to pursue it forever or maybe your foray into pot throwing will only turn out to be a good party story. Either way, you can say you tried and you will come out ahead as a more interesting person who knows themselves better and is better able to relate to others.

When, what and how

The question is not when to get involved - hint: the answer to that question is “now”! The relevant questions are what and how. As you think about what your ideal college experience might look like consider the things you want to do as well as requirements like academics and perhaps a job. What do you want to do and how can you get started?

Do you want to be a part of Greek life on campus? Find out when rush starts and talk to some current members of sororities or fraternities. Do you want to volunteer with kids? Check with your campus life office to see what opportunities are available. Are you ready to take on a cause which is near to your heart? Ask the leaders of other campus organizations how they got started and organize a new group at your school. Do you want to be healthier? Get to the athletic center on campus or join an intramural team. Don’t just think about it – get up and do it. Today!

Make it happen

When we spend too much time thinking about what we want and too little time doing what we need to do to make it happen, the semesters can slip past in a blur and before you know it, you’re collecting your diploma and on your way out the door.

While you are here on campus, you have a golden opportunity to explore new interests and develop lifelong passions. You will never be presented with so many chances to do interesting things and meet new people again. These days are fleeting; embrace every interesting opportunity you can while you are here.