Finding Friends in New Ways

Campus involvement is critical to the development of students attending Virginia Tech. Whether it be joining an organization in Greek Life, volunteering your time in a professional organization, or even starting your own club, many students choose to join one of Virginia Tech’s 899 registered student organizations. Even though campus involvement is heavily emphasized from your first day as a student, I didn’t realize how much it would truly shape my sense of belonging until I reflected on who I was four years ago.

Coming from an out-of-state high school with a graduating class of 28, I was intimidated by the size of campus and number of students in my first Virginia Tech classes. Paired with being a first generation student and being homeschooled for most of my education prior, I yearned for a sense of community in which I could grow and feel supported in. I didn’t know what that looked like until I attended Gobblerfest – Virginia Tech’s yearly club fair, the first week of my freshman year.

Here, I was instantly greeted with open arms and a wide array of opportunities that would both enrich my academic interests and expand my social interests. One of my goals in any organization I pursued joining was an environment where I felt confident to be myself for the first time. In my life prior to Virginia Tech, I felt the need to seek external validation for internal conflicts. Joining an organization for the first time gave me a chance to explore what I was passionate about and create a community around me that supported every endeavor I explored.

As my efforts in getting involved slowly progressed, I was given opportunities to be an Orientation Leader, campus tour guide, student engagement project manager, serve on the Executive Board for my service fraternity, and serve as president of another student organization. Through each of my connections in these positions, I held close to me one piece of advice that I promised myself I would share with new students when I got the chance: try everything. Don’t be afraid to take chances if it means finding something you’re passionate about. College is the time to try things you never thought you’d enjoy. Join that new club that just started, go to an interest meeting where you don’t know anyone, or even start your own club! I guarantee that, somewhere along the process, you will stumble across your friends for life when you least expect it. When I think back on my four years here and my graduation in less than a month, I see a younger reflection of myself and how much I’ve changed. I credit these organizations for my character growth and I am so glad to be able to say that Virginia Tech allowed me to find my support system when I needed it most.