When I started university in September 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was just beginning to take off, causing the entirety of my first year to be completed at home and online. As a result, I didn’t participate in frosh week activities, I didn’t meet fellow students in residence and I didn’t join any clubs or extracurriculars. Instead, I focused on staying afloat as I navigated this very new life experience while being confined to the four walls of my bedroom. I was lucky enough to move to Waterloo for my second year when the university adopted hybrid-style learning. Although I enjoyed being on campus, I couldn’t help but feel out of place. I was relearning the ins and outs of the university and trying to settle into a new routine made me feel like I was stuck in my first year. In many ways, I felt like I was way over my head which took a toll on my confidence.
My third year of university, which was going to be completed in person, had the potential of being a fresh start. As I applied for different positions in organizations on campus, I was keenly aware that I lacked experience in extracurriculars, clubs and teams, but I was determined not to let that get the best of me — everyone needs to gain experience by starting somewhere. I sought out anything that piqued my interest. I’ll admit, getting emails back along the lines of “thanks for applying, but…” definitely stung a little bit and I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel discouraged. I continued through a period of trial and error until I found something that stuck. That’s when I got an email back from Her Campus for Fall 2022. Although I had originally applied to be an editor for the club, I was offered a writing position instead. As someone who had never partaken in much creative writing before Her Campus but was committing to writing one original piece per week during the semester, I was intimidated, to say the least.
Yet, I took this leap of faith, and I’m happy to report I feel as though I landed right where I was supposed to be. This opportunity not only helped establish a sense of belonging at Laurier but brought me out of my shell in more ways than one. I have met and gotten to know a fantastic group of girls with similar interests, goals and aspirations. Having a reason to get out of my apartment and engage in a creative outlet keeps me motivated and inspired. On a more personal level, my hobbies, goals and strengths have grown and evolved. Now more than ever, I am confident in my ideas and capabilities.
I never would have expected to learn more about myself by simply joining a club, but I’m here to tell you that it’s so, so worth it.