When I started college, I did not think I would end up doing what I am doing now. I was a shy, quiet kid. Talking to strangers didn’t come easily. Class presentations were even worse. I commute every day, like most students at this university do, and I have joined several student organizations that caught my interest. It was the student organizations and my campus job that gave me that initial push to explore outside my inner circle.
Initially, I was scared to open up and do things. I think my transformation began during my sophomore year, when I got the courage to start an organization on campus with the support of my friends and family. I founded the first university Operation Smile Club in Texas, which serves to bring awareness of and raise money to treat facial deformities, such as cleft lips and palates. The money we collect goes to Operation Smile, an international charity that conducts annual medical missions.
Club members serve the community, participate in service projects such as Smile Dolls and have opportunities to attend leadership conferences and medical missions. All majors are welcome; all it takes is a caring heart to help someone in need.
The process of starting and running an organization was difficult. I struggled so much during general meetings when I had to give presentations. Although I knew the information to present, I would get anxious and nervous. I felt as if I was doing a disservice to the organization by being scared to speak in public. So, I sought help to improve my public speaking at the Hauser Lab on campus to assess my presentation skills. I felt more at ease and confident after doing some practice rounds and ensuring that I knew what I had to say. I learned that the fear I have of public speaking is common. Your fears may be different from mine, but we all have something that we are afraid of doing. It’s learning to deal with that fear that allows us to expand our knowledge and surpass our expectations.
Although the road was tough, I’m glad I started the Operation Smile Club because we have planted a seed in the Rio Grande Valley community to care about children and adults with facial deformities. We have raised more than $2,000 to cover the cost of surgeries and medical equipment used in Operation Smile’s annual medical missions. It feels extremely rewarding to know that we have helped six children receive the surgeries that they need during our first semester with the club.
Even though I was doubtful in the beginning, I ended up juggling Greek life, an on-campus job and my classes. I became the co-founder and president of the organization I had dreamed of joining since high school. It was not easy, but it was all worth it. When you stay in your comfort zone, it is like a safety net. There is warmth and comfort from staying inside as well as a sense of routine and short-term fulfillment, but when you decide to reach beyond your comfort zone you learn to embrace change, try new things, meet new people, aim higher and feel motivated to reach your goals.
The more you try to do things out of the ordinary, the things that scare you, the easier they will become the next time around. There is opportunity for growth in all areas. What is hard for you now will become easier in time with practice. Don’t just do the bare minimum. As my political science professor, Jerry Polinard, used to say at the end of every class, “Go off and do good things.”
Use what you learn in school, home, work, organizations and your life experiences to live to your fullest potential. Breaking free from your shell starts with believing in yourself and realizing that you can make the difference.
