BY Brenda Garza | THE RIDER
Have you ever heard the saying, “If I only knew then what I know now?” Well, at the beautiful age of 35, I finally know what that means.
As a freshman, in the yonder year of 1999, I was this young, naïve girl that only went to school, took her classes and didn’t get fazed by all these organizations you see around campus hollering and showing school pride.
Somehow, that didn’t interest me. I wasn’t in any type of club and for some reason, being “part of” something never seemed to interest me, but then again, maybe, I was just scared.
Going through college and being afraid to ask for help, raise my hand and answer a question, or even talk to my professors was something this young girl was not willing to do or partake in.
Feeling as though I would be laughed at if I answered a question wrong or shamed because I was an outsider “trying” to fit in, maybe, that’s the reason I wasn’t as involved.
I can definitely say, “If I only knew then what I know now.”
It has finally dawned on me that life is all about uncertainty. Life is about taking risks, falling down and then getting right back up. Life is about enjoying the moment, whether good or bad.
In college, everyone is an outsider. Everyone is from everywhere. We have students in this university from all across the globe. No one really knows what direction they are going, let alone who your professors will be, or whom you will befriend while waiting in a long line in the girls’ restroom, the line during lunch at the cafeteria or even the financial aid office line, which seems to last an eternity at times.
Starting new friendships is what your college life is all about. Yes, studying your craft goes without saying, but in the end, the friendships you make here could potentially be long-lasting friendships that can last a lifetime.
Being involved can help you develop skills you didn’t have or, in fact, enhance the skills you do have. For example, I love to make people smile. So, becoming part of the Operation Smile Club at UTRGV was a no brainer. The same goes for marketing. Because of my friend Julio Salinas, who is the president of the American Marketing Associating, I decided to finally join.
And guess what? I am so excited to meet new people, make friendships, enjoy new experiences and acquire skills I didn’t have. Did I mention the networking? Getting to meet people that could potentially help you along your amazing journey is something you just cannot buy.
Joining The Rider was a huge part of discovering who I am. I can honestly say that my journey of becoming a newspaper reporter was completely out of the question. Never in a million years did I think I would work for any newspaper, let alone the school newspaper.
Television yes, but never the newspaper. And now that I’m working here, I feel I belong here, like I’ve always belonged here.
I got out of my comfortable box and tried something new for the first time. Like anything, it was scary at first, but in the end, it was something I needed to do for myself. Being a mass communication major with a concentration in broadcasting, this learning experience has been amazing thus far, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I’m acquiring new skills that will help me expand my horizons. I’m learning that there is a lot of stuff going on in this university that needs to be discovered by the student body. From organizations to grants, and departments I didn’t even know existed!
Thankfully, because of this right turn, I took on the path to discovering who I am. I am becoming a well-rounded person. In the end, you just have to step out of your comfort zone to know who you are and what you are really made of.
At the ripe age of 35, I can finally say, “I’m enjoying my college life.”
No longer am I afraid of talking in class, asking questions, asking my professors for advice or becoming more involved in student organizations. Being involved has become the new norm in my life.
Again, isn’t this what your “college life” is all about? Trying new things, meeting new people, acquiring new skills that could potentially be your moneymaker in the future, failing and then getting back up.
So, for those scared students who have yet to become involved in this so-called college life, I urge you to submerge yourself in it.
Enjoy it while it lasts, because by the time you reach my beautiful age, you’ll be telling yourself the same thing I keep telling myself now, “If I only knew then what I know now, where would I be?”
