Finding My Place
How Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone Changed My College Experience
When I first started college at Virginia Commonwealth University, I was extremely nervous about making friends and finding my place in such a large school. During my first semester, I struggled to meet people and often felt discouraged. Watching others form large friend groups and seemingly live the “quintessential college experience” made me question whether VCU was the right fit for me.
I started to feel like I didn’t belong. Instead of giving up, I decided to give VCU another chance. That decision led me to try something that was completely outside of my comfort zone, which was participating in sorority recruitment.
Before college, I would have never imagined myself going through sorority recruitment. I am naturally introverted and tend to be a quiet person, so the idea of meeting many new people at once felt intimidating. Still, I knew that if I wanted my college experience to change, I needed to take a risk. Pushing myself to participate in recruitment turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made. Joining a sorority gave me a strong sense of community and belonging that I had been searching for during my first semester. More importantly, it helped me grow personally. I became more confident, more outgoing, and more willing to take chances.
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One of the most meaningful parts of joining a sorority has been the friendships I’ve built. Before college, I never had a large group of close girlfriends, but now I am surrounded by supportive and encouraging friends. My sorority also introduced me to the “big and little” mentorship system. My big sister has taught me so much and supported me throughout my college experience. Now that I am a big myself, I have the opportunity to guide my little and help her navigate college just like my big did for me. These relationships have created a strong support system that has made college feel much more meaningful and fulfilling.
More recently, I took on the role of Director of Membership Selection. This position required strong organization, attention to detail, and teamwork. During recruitment, I managed behind-the-scenes logistics and data to ensure each round ran smoothly. I helped organize and distribute voting lists in real time and used Excel to maintain an accurate and efficient process. Seeing how organization and careful planning contributed to a successful recruitment process was incredibly rewarding. It was exciting to welcome a new member class and know that my work helped make the process successful.
When I think back to my nervous freshman self, I realize how much I have grown. What once felt like a huge and overwhelming campus now feels like a community where I truly belong.Taking the risk to step outside of my comfort zone changed my entire college experience. Through leadership roles, friendships, and personal growth, my sorority has helped me build confidence and develop skills that will stay with me long after college.
Sometimes the experiences that scare us the most end up shaping us the most.
