Oftentimes when you think college students, you think poor. We would argue that doesn’t always need to be the case. How is that so? Yes, college students struggle financially. Maintaining a full class schedule and a job to pay for school is an extremely difficult balancing act that many of us have mastered by now.
So what is it about college that makes us richer? The experience. Most of us are here for a total of four years. That means we have just four short years to soak up every opportunity that may come our way.
Our executive board members have just gotten back from our yearly National College Media Convention. This year it was held in Austin, Texas. We travelled to a completely different part of the country together as a group to take on the experience of a lifetime.
Photo Illustration by George Amaru & Jake Coughlin
The conference consisted of the world’s largest gathering of college journalists and their advisors. Engaging in this experience allowed us to explore our career goals, network with speakers and presenters, gain new people skills and explore a whole different part of the country.
For many of us, going to Texas was an opportunity we may never get again in our lives. We believe in the importance of taking advantage of these amazing trips Keene State College provides us with. We encourage students to soak in every opportunity that comes our way.
Many times students feel reluctant to join certain clubs and organizations. Let that indecisiveness subside. Take the risk; join the club you’re interested in because you never know the opportunities it may bring you.
Joining the Equinox exposed each and every one of our executive board members to a trip we will cherish and remember for the rest of our lives. We are not the only campus organization that gets these incredible opportunities.
For example, students interested in geography have the ability to travel to places like Hawaii and Alaska. This goes to show that through the college, students have the ability to travel and explore places they might not be able to afford once they’re on their own.
Getting involved with clubs and organizations on campus not only teaches you more about whatever it is you’re interested in, but it exposes you to people you might not otherwise befriend. We argue that it is natural for all students to want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
When you join a group, club, organization or team, you receive a sense of belonging. The benefits are endless. All too often we restrict ourselves to getting stuck in that same class and work routine. Physically being in class is certainly great, however, it is important to take advantage of those opportunities that may force you out of your comfort zone.
Many of us at Keene State have never even left New England, or have at least lived here for the majority of our lives. It is so crucial that we get out and experience what else is out there for us.
Keene State has so many trip opportunities just waiting for students to explore. Whether it be the study away program, alternative break opportunities, conferences related to your major among other things, there is no other time in our lives when we’ll be able to have such easy access to these trips.
Even though it seems easier to sometimes just stick to what we know, to surround ourselves with the people we’re comfortable with and stay cooped up in our rooms, it’s important that we push ourselves out of this behavior.
There’s a whole world out there for us to explore. What better time to explore it then when we’re young, ambitious and healthy? College is the time to try new things, if we shy away from things now, we’ll miss out on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Now is the time to maximize what’s in front of us. You never know when one conversation can lead to potential job opportunities.
So take the chance, join that club or organization you’ve been thinking about. You never know what might come your way or the places it might take you.
