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Being a Leader Article Archives:
Maximize
DU
Tips to Making the Most of Your College Experience
By Joey Ham © 2005
Student Organization Chairman, Daniels College of Business Senator
Many say that college is "the best years of your life."
Well, no one knows what the future holds, but if these are your
best years, do you feel like you are making the most of them?
Are you MAXIMIZING your experiences at the University of Denver?
That's a question you have to answer for yourself, but if you
have even the slightest doubt on whether you are making the most
of your college years, then there is something more out there
for you. Do you feel a lack of close friends that you can see
yourself hanging out with in 25 years, especially that one best
friend? Do you feel like you spend all of your time studying and/or
partying and are unfulfilled by it? Do you feel a void in your
life with how you are spending your time and whom you are spending
it with? Do you feel like you are unprepared for the real world
and don't have the skills to succeed? If you can answer yes to
any of these questions, then there is a solution that may work
for you: GET INVOLVED!
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS are one of the best ways to meet life long
friends, spend your time making a difference in your school and
community, as well as gaining like skills that will prepare you
for the real world. Being a part of student organizations can
be the difference between simply attending DU or MAXIMIZING DU!
"But I am involved on campus and I still feel like I am
not getting the most out my experience at DU." Well, my question
for you is: "Do you enjoy what you are involved in?"
There is a big difference between being involved for résumé
material or for making other people happy versus being involved
because you enjoy what you do and enjoy making a difference in
that particular organization. Don't just get involved to get involved.
You won't be happy in an organization you don't care about and
that organization won't be happy to have you if you don't care.
Get involved in an organization you can feel passionate about…one
you are excited to help with. If you enjoy music, join the DU
Programs Board's Concerts committee. If you enjoy skiing/snowboarding
and being active, join the Alpine Club. If you enjoy learning
and experiencing different cultures, join one of DU's many cultural
organizations.
My point is this: Right now, you have the opportunity to find
out what makes you happy in life by trying new things, taking
risks, and simply experiencing it. Take advantage of this opportunity.
Follow these next 3 steps and I GUARANTEE you will be one step
closer to MAXIMIZING DU!
1. Find what makes YOU happy…not your friends, not your
parents…YOU! The best place to start is by looking at your
hobbies. What do you like to do on your free time? If that answer
is the reason why you are unfulfilled, then take some risks and
try some new things. Never been skiing? Try it. Never been to
an art show? Try it. You never know what hidden interests you
will find.
2. Take your answer to #1 (what makes you happy, in case you
already forgot) and now look at the list of student organizations
on campus. Find the organization that can help immerse you into
the things you enjoy. We don't have it? START IT. AUSA Senate
is here for you and will do anything they can to help you make
your ideas a reality. It may take some effort on your part, but
it will be well worth it. Note that the Student Organization Committee
(SOC) will be there to help you every step of the way.
3. Finally…in the famous words of Nike…JUST DO IT!
Go out there and start enjoying college to the fullest. Dare to
MAXIMIZE DU!
Now you can go out and make college "the best years of your
life"…so far! The goal is to make each year better than
the last. So MAXIMIZE DU…join a student organization and
get started on making this year the best year of your life so
far.
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