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College Advice: Why Get Involved?
We hear it all the time, “You should get involved in college.” It’s so easy going to a commuter college to stick to the routine of driving to class and driving home and not doing anything beyond that. It’s super important to step outside your comfort zone though. I am a firm believer in the saying, “Change begins at the end of your comfort zone.” When I came to Dearborn, I was determined to join at least one student organization and make it a point to talk to people in my classes and make friends. I joined Phi Mu Sorority my freshman year and it was one of the best decisions I could’ve ever made.
I see someone on campus every day that I know. I have made life-long friends and have gained experience and responsibility I can apply to the job hunt in the next couple of years. When you make friends in a student organization, it makes going to school a little less painful. Especially since Dearborn is such a small school, you have a high likelihood of having classes with some of these people which is a very good thing. I personally get a bit anxious when a professor goes, “Get together in groups,” and then there’s no one I know to form a group. I honestly have not had this problem at all in college because of Phi Mu.
I have stuck with my sorority going on three years now and believe me when I say that I have not always wanted to stick with it because of the time commitment. However, because I’ve stuck with it for so long, I have shown myself that I can pretty much keep at anything if I have balance. This gives me leverage in the workforce because i’m able to say to an employer that I stuck with this organization throughout my whole college career and took on leadership positions at the same time.
All in all, joining a student organization has given me opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I have met countless inspirational people on the same journey as me and have been given a chance to add to my resume while having fun along the way.
-Tayler May
Check out Tayler's personal website!
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