Get A Clue by Ashley

Get A Clue by Ashley - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

The concept of college terrified me as a senior in high school. Everyone told me that college would be the best four years of my life, but having to be responsible for getting up early, going to class, making friends, and doing laundry all on my own wasn't my idea of a great time. I wasn't the most outgoing or bubbly person in grade school, in fact, socializing terrified the wits out of me. I thought that college was just going to end up being a dreadful extension to high school. I figured that if I went to class, did my homework, and kept to myself, nothing could go wrong. Getting a degree would simple and painless, right?

Two years into my college experience and I couldn't disagree more with my naive high school self. Only giving one piece of advice to incoming or first year college students is like eating one potato chip; not enough. The top piece of advice, though, would definitely be to get involved somehow, some way, on your campus. Not only do you get to be active in something you're passionate about, but you'll meet other students just like you who you may not have met otherwise.

I'm a proud member of a service sorority and a RA in the best residents hall on campus. Keeping myself busy has surprisingly enough improved my grades, my confidence, and my social abilities. Sure, I have my off days with nothing but my bed and Netflix, but that's normal. The busier you are, the happier you'll be in the end. Go out and be the person high school you never though you could be.