Finding My Place

When starting college, the world seems to start moving a little faster, and to be completely honest, it’s hard to know where to start. Should you focus more on spending time with friends before you all leave home to start a new journey, or should you focus on making friends where you’ll be spending the next four years? Should you spend more time with your family- you know, talking to your parents while they cook dinner and when your siblings want someone to play with. Oh, and don’t forget about classes—the right professors, notebooks and pens can make ALL the difference. Feeling overwhelmed yet? I was too. Everyone in your shoes is feeling the exact same way, no matter how well they hide it. They, too, are wondering how to balance all of it- classes, making new friends, adjusting to being away from home, and so much more. I can confidently say that getting involved on campus helped me to find a way to balance all of it. There are SO many ways to get involved on campus, so no matter what you’re looking for in a group of friends, you can find it here at JSU. There are campus organizations for Greek life (clearly you’re interested in this, otherwise you wouldn’t have read this far), academics, sports, video games- you name it and its probably already been made. Getting involved with a group of new people who have similar interests will lead you to be more comfortable in this difficult transition.

How many times have you heard “Get involved, it will be so much fun!”? Probably waayyy too many. I hate to say it, buuut it’s 100% true!! Taking that first step out of my comfort zone lead me to countless opportunities that I would have never had before. Getting involved at Jax State was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. In high school, I was in every club that they would let me in just to keep myself busy, so when I came to college, I wanted to do the same, but I really just didn’t know where to start. During the first few weeks of being on campus I saw emails, flyers, signs and literally people standing in the dorm lobbies encouraging students to get involved and telling them about “get on board day.” I ended up going, just because I didn’t know what else to do. I received so much information there and ended up deciding to apply for Freshman Forum! That was where my involvement first started. Through Freshman forum, I learned all about the professional field, but more importantly I met people who were going through the same struggles as me, because obviously we were all freshmen. I made friends that I ended up having classes with and even a few that were in The Honor’s Program with me. Freshman Forum and The Honors Program ultimately led me to the place I call home. A lot of the friends I had made were apart of Greek Life, but I just wasn’t sure it was for me. I ended up having lunch with some of my friends and their sorority sisters and it felt like I had met them on the first day of class. I loved that they included me without even knowing me, it was what I had been searching for.

Like most college girls, I hoped to find a group of girls who would support me in everything I did and be there for me when I needed them the most. Becoming a part of Greek life, more importantly, joining Phi Mu, brought me to the group of girls I knew I wanted in my life. This organization has given me the opportunity to serve within my community, raise money for an AMAZING philanthropy, and they have given me the confidence boost that all freshman girls need during their first year of college.

If Greek life isn’t for you OR you’re an overachiever like me and want to be involved in even more? Like I said before, there are so, so many other ways to be involved at Jax State! Freshman Forum is a great place to start if you’re looking to grow in your leadership skills, establish a great group of friends and build yourself on our campus. Are you more interested in academic organizations? Look into joining a club associated with your major. There are even honor societies and ambassadors for most majors. These opportunities are more so for upperclassmen, but it’s never too early to look into the requirements for each one! If you’re looking to be involved, but not ~too involved~ I have the perfect organization for you! Just by becoming a student at Jacksonville State, you are part of the Student Government Association- sounds sophisticated, right? Each fall, as classes are about to begin, JSU hosts “Welcome Week” which includes SO many fun events! From “Get on Board Day”, a day to see just how many different organizations are offered, to “Freshman Convocation”, which is primarily a huge welcoming event to the newest class entering JSU, you will find something fun to do during this week! Welcome Week allows the newest class (that’s you!) to hang out and get to know each other while also seeing what Jacksonville has to offer. You’ll even have a chance to learn the football chants and cheers so that you aren’t clueless during the first game in Burgess Snow!

Getting involved has made my college years fly by in the best way possible, given me the most precious memories and helped me find my best friends along the way. I promise you will look back and thank yourself for getting involved when you see everything you were able to accomplish and all of the opportunities you were presented. Whatever involvement looks like to you, you won’t regret it. If you have questions about getting involved at Jax State, I would love to help you find your place on campus!! - Lauren Watson, PC ‘19 **Keep up with our sister, Lauren, and all her activities by following her on instagram @laurwats_ Who knows, she may be your Gamecock Orientation Leader ;)