By Kimmi Sterner
Believe it or not, October is here, and the Student Leadership Team just came back from our mid-year meeting at Arizona State University (big thanks to the ASU staff for hosting us!). I have to say that nothing is more fulfilling than sitting in a room with these incredible, creative people who are working to enhance this organization and the experience it provides for its members.
On my drive to the airport, the song “What I Almost Was” by Eric Church came on the radio.
The song explains that he thought his life would go one way, the right way, and then something unexpected happened that led him down a completely different path.
In short, it’s about how he realizes that the path he was forced to walk down ended up being the perfect one.
As you’re going through this year, you might be second-guessing your decisions. Maybe you’re unsure of the Graduate Assistant position you accepted because it just has not been what you thought it would be yet, or maybe you’re questioning the academic program you chose.
In all honesty, I thought I had a plan. I thought I was meant for one specific GA position—and that position did not work out. Immediately, I questioned all of the work I had ever done and if I was meant to work in campus recreation. But it wasn’t long after getting involved in a different GA position that I started feeling differently.
When I went back to the list I made describing the experience I really wanted out of a Graduate Assistantship, I discovered that I got just about everything I could ever have wanted—just in a different way than I thought possible. In fact, the whole experience was better than I ever thought possible.
If I had ended up travelling down the road I thought was meant for me, chances are I would not be writing this article. And I would not be experiencing what it’s like to collaborate with such an incredible Student Leadership Team as well as so many inspirational professionals.
My summer at UCLA, an experience that has completely changed my life and its purpose, would not have happened. I would not feel this pride in the program here at Ole Miss—as well as in the school overall—that gets me excited to get out of bed every morning. And I know for a fact that I would not be happy.
Because I questioned my life’s purpose and where life led me, I was able to understand why I am where I am and how I can make an impact on the places I go and the people I meet.
My point is, sometimes we think we want something or we need a certain experience—and life just does not have that in store for us. We immediately resort to the negative because that’s what we’re wired to do. We panic, wondering for a moment why our life is in shambles.
But if we take a second look at our situation, we can realize that we have actually been set up to become the best person we could be. We have a chance to discover another part of ourselves and help others to do the same.
Don’t realize the benefits of a situation only when you’re completely removed from it. Take some time and think about where you are now so you can take full advantage. Make even more of a difference, and do even greater things. For example, look into participating in any of NIRSA’s committees or work teams, get involved in the discussions, and grace our community with your knowledge.
Now, go and get on with that livin’ part of life and just know that no matter where you are, you are meant to be there. This organization and community needs you, I need you, and you are valued no matter what.
