Reflections
The Importance of Finding Your Place
Rachel Kelly
Issue date: 5/30/09 Section: Opinion
When I first started at BSC, I was like many commuters. I came for my classes and left as soon as they were over. I didn't know we had a newspaper until the end of my first year. I didn't have many friends in my classes, except for a few casual acquaintances to gossip with right before class began. I had no real connection to this campus except for my desire to earn a degree.
I decided it would be good for my career to try getting a job with the newspaper. As soon as I accepted the position everything changed for me. Not only did I become more involved, but I also made real connections. I made friends with similar interests. Such connections with my co-workers at The Comment caused me to branch out and make friends with people in my classes.
Being more involved at BSC actually pushed me to work harder in my classes, too. Things changed and I became more interested in what I learned and less about the grades. I stopped caring about what was expected for the exam. Instead, my focus became what I was getting from the class and how that would affect my career. I became a much better student for it.
I am not trying to be corny. I am not the OSIL cheerleader. I am not saying anything that hasn't been said before. I am speaking about my experience and hoping that you will take some advice. Find something that interests you and make a connection. This campus has so much to offer, but you have to be willing to take advantage of it.
I understand time restrictions. It is hard to get involved when you're busy and I understand that more than almost anyone. I currently work fulltime, go to school fulltime, and run the student newspaper. It is hard work; sometimes I hate my life. Yet, I wouldn't do it any differently. My experiences here have been enhanced so much more because of The Comment.
I am not preaching that everyone should join The Comment. It wasn't the actual newspaper that changed things for me. It was the tie that the newspaper gave me to BSC. I suddenly started caring about campus. SGA decisions, budget cuts and the like actually started to matter to me. I became invested in BSC. I really wanted to be here.
I decided it would be good for my career to try getting a job with the newspaper. As soon as I accepted the position everything changed for me. Not only did I become more involved, but I also made real connections. I made friends with similar interests. Such connections with my co-workers at The Comment caused me to branch out and make friends with people in my classes.
Being more involved at BSC actually pushed me to work harder in my classes, too. Things changed and I became more interested in what I learned and less about the grades. I stopped caring about what was expected for the exam. Instead, my focus became what I was getting from the class and how that would affect my career. I became a much better student for it.
I am not trying to be corny. I am not the OSIL cheerleader. I am not saying anything that hasn't been said before. I am speaking about my experience and hoping that you will take some advice. Find something that interests you and make a connection. This campus has so much to offer, but you have to be willing to take advantage of it.
I understand time restrictions. It is hard to get involved when you're busy and I understand that more than almost anyone. I currently work fulltime, go to school fulltime, and run the student newspaper. It is hard work; sometimes I hate my life. Yet, I wouldn't do it any differently. My experiences here have been enhanced so much more because of The Comment.
I am not preaching that everyone should join The Comment. It wasn't the actual newspaper that changed things for me. It was the tie that the newspaper gave me to BSC. I suddenly started caring about campus. SGA decisions, budget cuts and the like actually started to matter to me. I became invested in BSC. I really wanted to be here.
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