'TU, What's Good?' on finding your niche in college

by A TYSTENANGEL
Advice-giving angel

I'm a first year student trying to find my place without being an overachiever. In highschool I was a student athlete, head of multiple committees, a member of many clubs and a student ambassador. One thing different from then and now though, is this isn't high school. The person I was then isn't known by people now and it's almost as if I need to reestablish who I want to be and who I am. Now, I don't mean for the approval of others or to be liked [that would be a huge plus] but for my own self approval. I love to sing and write. I draw, sculpt and do photography. I love getting involved for the betterment of others. I love public speaking and general awareness. I have a passion for sports and fitness. Yet, with all these directions I can go I don't know which is the best. I am not sure if I should venture out into multiple areas or have a more concentrated focus. TU, what's good? Thanks.
- Soul Searcher

​Dear Soul Searcher,

​It is definitely easy to be overwhelmed walking into a situation where you are suddenly anonymous and having to start all over. I would generally suggest that this is an opportunity to reinvent yourself if you wished, but it sounds like you have a strong sense of self-worth and I applaud you for being so put together at such a young age. That being said, you have a large variety of skills that would be useful to many different groups on campus. Honestly, if you truly enjoyed everything you were involved in during high school there is no reason you have to give anything up. Do keep in mind, however, that the work load is much more extensive at the university level, and if you start to feel like you’re being pulled in numerous directions then you might want to narrow your focus a bit.

If you love drawing, sculpting, and photography perhaps you would enjoy the TU Arts Team. They work on the production of Diane Kidd Gallery art exhibits, do graphic design for performing arts events, photograph and videotape arts events on campus, and create art for the university and community.
​
A love for singing would prompt you to talk to Brad Rees about joining the University Choir and/or the Gospel or Pop Choir.

If writing and photography is your passion then I definitely suggest joining our team here at the Tystenac (I will plug this organization to you shamelessly.)

For sports and fitness you might want to consider joining a sports team here on campus. If you want something new and fresh that is a bit more casual than perhaps you would enjoy joining the rugby team or another club sport. If a team sport is not for you, there are also intramural competitions.

Public speaking, general awareness, and public health may inspire you to join NAMI, SPECTRUM, or GAO.

I will link below different outlets to learn more about what I suggested. If you like the sound of something then show up for a meeting or contact the adviser /president of the organization for some more information. If you aren’t in love, or feel that something is not the fit for you, then you don’t have to go to a second meeting. Everyone here wants you to succeed during your time at college and it is important that you find things that you enjoy. So try lots of things! Try everything! You won’t love everything and that is okay, don’t feel pressured to do a lot simply because you did in high school. As you can tell, high school is a lot different than college and you don’t want to find yourself overwhelmed with everything you do. Academics come first. But truly, I hope you find clubs and people you love and fit in with. And I hope you enjoy your next four years! (And maybe I will see you at a future Tystenac meeting?)

Lots of love,

A Tystenangel
​
Learn more about the arts program (Choir, Art Club, Tystenac, etc.) here.
Learn more about club sports here.
Learn more about diversity programs (SPECTRUM, VOICE, etc.) here.
Learn more about GAO here.
Learn more about NAMI here.