Camp Wildcat.
As the end of the semester draws to a close (HEY, three weeks is close enough), I can't help but think that I have truly evolved more in this one semester than I have throughout the entirety of my college experience.
When I started college, I literally despised it for the first six months--at least. As I gradually grew accustomed to it, I thought I was learning to like it more, but really, I think I was just desensitized to the intense hatred I felt for college.
But in this last semester, while I have been busier than I have ever been in my life (working 40 hours a week AND taking 18 units), I have also gotten more involved than I have been in college.
I have maintained and nourished friendships, new and old.
I have worked hard in my classes.
I have joined a new club: Camp Wildcat.
For those of you who don't know, CW is a club that takes underprivileged kids camping and teaches them that college is an attainable goal.
And this club is where all the really important stuff comes in. I have found the purest form of happiness I have yet experienced in college. In this club, I have learned a LOT and I haven't even been a part of it for a full semester yet.
I have learned how to stop apologizing for myself and who I am. Although I may not put it into perfect practice, CW has taught me how to be who I am with little to no concern as to how others will receive that.
I have learned how much of a difference I can make in the lives of others.
I have learned that I matter, that the things I do matter, and that everyone has something to bring to the table.
I have learned that there is no convenient time or place to volunteer, but it is choosing to volunteer in spite of that that is truly character-defining.
I have learned what I bring to the table.
I have learned how to focus on a group, not just myself.
I have learned what it means to feel underprivileged, what it means to be told that you are "underprivileged."
I have learned that the people in this club are kindred spirits of mine--they are special because they understand what it means to be selfless. I have learned so much from them, more than I ever could in any classroom.
I have never wanted to see success in someone else more than myself in my life until I joined this club.
I have never felt like I belonged so well until I joined this club.
Truly, honestly, this club has made my life, my existence, mean more.
And because of it, I never want to graduate college. And I can honestly say, that is the first time I have said that since I got here.
When I started college, I literally despised it for the first six months--at least. As I gradually grew accustomed to it, I thought I was learning to like it more, but really, I think I was just desensitized to the intense hatred I felt for college.
But in this last semester, while I have been busier than I have ever been in my life (working 40 hours a week AND taking 18 units), I have also gotten more involved than I have been in college.
I have maintained and nourished friendships, new and old.
I have worked hard in my classes.
I have joined a new club: Camp Wildcat.
For those of you who don't know, CW is a club that takes underprivileged kids camping and teaches them that college is an attainable goal.
And this club is where all the really important stuff comes in. I have found the purest form of happiness I have yet experienced in college. In this club, I have learned a LOT and I haven't even been a part of it for a full semester yet.
I have learned how to stop apologizing for myself and who I am. Although I may not put it into perfect practice, CW has taught me how to be who I am with little to no concern as to how others will receive that.
I have learned how much of a difference I can make in the lives of others.
I have learned that I matter, that the things I do matter, and that everyone has something to bring to the table.
I have learned that there is no convenient time or place to volunteer, but it is choosing to volunteer in spite of that that is truly character-defining.
I have learned what I bring to the table.
I have learned how to focus on a group, not just myself.
I have learned what it means to feel underprivileged, what it means to be told that you are "underprivileged."
I have learned that the people in this club are kindred spirits of mine--they are special because they understand what it means to be selfless. I have learned so much from them, more than I ever could in any classroom.
I have never wanted to see success in someone else more than myself in my life until I joined this club.
I have never felt like I belonged so well until I joined this club.
Truly, honestly, this club has made my life, my existence, mean more.
And because of it, I never want to graduate college. And I can honestly say, that is the first time I have said that since I got here.