Keeping Your Head Up to Find Your Place
By Alexa Silvestri
A new school year means every student is trying to find their place for the months ahead. Will you try a new activity? Stick with what you are passionate about? For some, these decisions are simple. However, for others, involvement can put a strain on mental, emotional, and even physical health.
It can be easy in college to think of yourself as a function of the people and environment around you. When it comes to involvement on campus, predominantly as freshmen, we are constantly comparing ourselves to our peers. A lot of the time, you will hear different opinions, and even stereotypes, about what involvement looks like on campus. Unfortunately, all of this can add up, and you may begin to question yourself.
Why do some people get accepted into things I wanted to be a part of? Why did I get rejected from something I am passionate about? How can I be involved when involvement seems so competitive? Am I doing something wrong?
If any of these questions have crossed your mind, you are not alone. Every student has had one or many of these thoughts. Truth is, involvement can seem difficult, especially with applications and interviews, meaning possible acceptances or rejections. However, you make the most out of college by putting yourself out there, getting back up when you feel down, trying again, and finding your own definition of “involvement.”
Do not let fear of rejection stop you from pursuing your passions. There is always a lesson to be learned from rejection. Rejection only affects you if you let it. So, think positively, pick yourself back up, and try again. In addition, one of the greatest things about campus life is that if you do not see something that piques your interest, you can start your own activity. Odds are that there are other students with similar interests that will rally around you!
If starting an activity is not for you, rewrite what involvement looks like. Hang around on main campus. Say hi to someone you have not met yet. Ask someone in your dorm to grab a meal or coffee. Go on a service trip. Involvement literally means participating in something. Involvement does not mean define yourself or others by what club or activity you are a member of. You already took the leap by coming to Villanova and being a part of this community. Participate in this universal community in your own unique way.
In the end, everything works out when you give it time. As a senior, I can tell you that you will find where you are meant to be, the people you want to have around you, and most importantly, things about yourself that you never knew before. Do not let one club, one letter, or one person get you down. Do not let stereotypes get in the way of your own success. Finding your “place” is not a simple solution. It may take a while to truly uncover what you are meant to do. Take in every moment and lesson. College is all about growth. Put yourself first and do things because you want to. Lastly, do not be afraid to ask for help. We all are rooting for you! You can and will do it!
