By this point, I am sure many of you have heard how The University of Alabama is “where legends are made.” The University plasters this slogan all over commercials, stationery and billboards. It rings true to say everyone should strive to be a legend.
Though popularly associated with one of our many great athletic teams, the term “legend” should not be exclusively connected with on-the-field success. We have over 600 registered student organizations at the Capstone. Find one, and become legendary.
When I came to the University, I was one of the very few lucky ones who knew what I wanted to get involved in on campus. The first week of school, I joined The Crimson White as a contributing writer for the news desk and have not looked back. I have ascended in leadership at the paper, going from an unpaid reporter to the editor-in-chief my junior and senior years.
In high school, I spread out my involvement across every aspect of student life, and I loved it that way. I somehow juggled being the editor of the high school newspaper, student body vice president, a varsity tennis player and dance captain in musical theatre.
Coming to college, I wanted the same thing: to be in every corner of campus.
In addition to The Crimson White, I signed up for mock trial, Russian Club and the Society for Women in Economics at Get on Board Day freshman year. While I knew I loved journalism, I still wanted to be in every little corner I could be.
However, none of those clubs was the right fit for me. I tried multiple student organizations throughout the years. Going to various club meetings over the years was exhausting, but as a rising senior I am finally starting to find my place.
My dream is to one day be a foreign correspondent in the Middle East, so I have started taking Arabic language courses and joined the Arabic Club. I had several people in my life try to discourage me from joining, saying that it would be too challenging. However, in my Arabic courses, I have found a community with my peers and my professor. They have all taught me so much about what it means to work hard and truly dedicate yourself to learning something completely new.
Though it took a while to find my place at the University, I could not be more grateful for where I have ended up. I am in clubs and organizations that have helped me thrive and pick a future career path that I am passionate about.
Join things that scare you, leave things that you don’t like, do things that people tell you that you can’t, break the rules and become a legend.
