I remember when...

Recently, I have started to feel kind of old.  Not in the "Oh, my back is killing me, I need a walker" sense, but more of the fact that I'm growing up. I'm interviewing for internships, which will in turn lead to careers.  I'm in charge of student organizations and am the one making decisions, not following orders.  
 I remember being absolutely terrified and excited when it was time to journey to Ohio State for my freshman year of college but I truly had no idea what I was in for.  Looking back, I seemed so naive, innocent and any other synonym that means clueless. I'm sure I will probably feel that way in another 5 years when I look back on 3rd year in college Marlee, but seriously, the last 3 years have been the most impactful and life-changing of my entire life.

                                                                       Bright Eyed, Bushy Tailed and a tad clueless.

A huge reason for this change in myself is that fact that for the first time ever, I am forming my own opinions and actually understanding who I am.  

I call this life; the theorists call it Student Development.  To each their own.


However, it doesn't matter what I call it because the fact is, understanding students at such a pivotal time in their lives is a huge deal.  It is the difference between making college some of the best 4 years of your life, or just another year of sitting in the classroom.  In SLA, we help student organizations do the same thing.  Will it just be another year for the Executive Board, going through the motions of each week or will they decide they want to make a change for the better?  You can't make changes in ideas or leadership within others without first understanding yourself and HOW people learn and grow.  Think "What? So What? No What?" type of deal.


In my experiences (and Chickering's) students grow through experiencing rather than memorizing, making choices although sometimes they may be difficult, and embracing diversity through interaction with others.  Reading his 7 Vectors was like walking down memory lane for me. Now that I have started to understand who I am, as well as other people, it makes me a better facilitator.  It is much easier to relate to others when you understand where they are in their lives, whether that be "Managing Emotions" (that crazy kid freshman year who punched walls) or "Developing Integrity" (that person you know who is always walking the walk.)


Something I love about the staff and leadership at OSU is that they understand who we are!  Not only do they understand us, but they give us positive reinforcements to encourage that growth. "If students believe, whether right or wrong, that they matter to someone else, that they are the object of someone else's attention, and that others care about and appreciate them, they are far more likely to persist and succeed."  By applying this method to my leadership and facilitation practices,  I am investing into others and giving them that extra "umph" they may need to succeed. I am the person I am today because of that compassionate approach, and I constantly challenge myself to pay it forward. 

So yes, I may be a little older than I was a few years ago.  But my wisdom and knowledge (and not just about Earth Science 121) has grown exponentially and that is what college is all about.

Because who doesn't love being empowered?