Let Your Roots Grow- A challenge to incoming freshman

A column for The Auburn Plainsman's Camp War Eagle Issue- Summer, 2022

The day when you move into your dorm room or your first apartment is a day you will never forget. The feeling when your parents walk out the door, get in their car and drive away might give you excitement, or a pit in your stomach and maybe some flutters too.

There is a beautiful paradox in the feeling of beginning something new. The embarking, the journey of a new adventure gives you both a sense of excitement and uncertainty. All of a sudden you have more freedom and responsibility than you have ever had before. Don’t take it for granted. Don’t waste it.

There’s an endless amount of things you can do once you get to college. You can be a part of Greek life, you can join a club, you can volunteer, you can go to student organization events and yes, you can go to football games. In all of the business, it can be easy to get bogged down and overwhelmed. My advice: learn to say “no.” One of the most important words you will ever learn to say is “no.” It is so simple and so small and yet, it can be the difference between you slipping into a state of mental decline or finding a balanced college experience.

College can be so taxing on your mental health and a way you can combat that is to learn your limits.

Know that you don’t have to say yes to everything and get involved in every club and apply for every position. Maximize your college experience by the old adage, “quality over quantity.” Pick one or two organizations to invest in and allow them to invest in you. You will find your relationships develop and your payoff, although not instant, will be visible over time.

Creating space in your life can keep you from overdoing it and can also add value to the time that you do choose to fill. There is no sugar coating the fact that while you do have plenty of social opportunities, you will encounter loneliness in college. In loneliness, there is a temptation to want to say yes to every single thing you’re invited to. This can lead to burnout and even further anxiety. Choose who you invest in and allow them to invest in you, while understanding that it takes time to build relationships.

Let your roots grow.

As your roots grow deeper, you will undoubtedly find opportunities to make your mark on Auburn. Along with some of those opportunities, you will get some “yes’s” that will change your life, but you might also get some “no’s.” It happens to everyone. It’s happened to me — a lot. So when it seems like a door you were supposed to walk through gets shut in your face, remember that you are not alone and you are not the only one.

Truthfully, not everyone you meet or interview with is going to see your value. That does not make you any less valuable. Who you are on the inside — your character — not what you do or what you throw on a resume, is what really matters. So instead of trying to boost your GPA or your social media following, focus on boosting your character this fall. College will stretch you and there may be some growing pains but in the end, you will be so glad you did it.

The best four years.

That is what people tell you college looks like. They say “It doesn’t get better than this.” But the truth is, college is just a small taste of the many wonderful seasons your life has to offer. In all of the stress and assignments and exams don’t forget to soak up the good stuff. The little moments of getting coffee with friends or working out at the campus rec center. Not allowing the stress to overtake the joy is so important. Keep the big picture in mind — from rolling Toomer’s for the first time after a big win to trying to find your classroom in the Haley Center on the first day of class. This is only the beginning of your story — one full of meaning and purpose and promise. War Eagle!