Students should expand horizons outside of majors
For most students, starting college is a step into the unknown.
At the beginning, it’s impossible not to come into contact with something unexpected because everything is new.
Yet, as time goes on and students start to settle in at school, it’s easy to let a routine become a rut.
Daphne Jackson
While there’s nothing wrong with being comfortable in a particular group, students can miss out on valuable experiences by becoming isolated within their own groups.
Whether those groups form within majors or in living spaces, it can lead a student to stay away from the unknown.
Stepping outside of a routine means coming into contact with new ideas and new ways of thinking, which can help expand a person’s worldview.
The commonalities shared by members of a cohesive group make it comfortable to associate within the group.
But college shouldn’t just be comfortable, it should be an opportunity to grow by facing challenges. Some of these challenges can come in the form of homework, but personal growth often comes from stepping outside of a comfort zone and seeing life from a different angle.
For students who are certain they are in the right field of study, it can be easy to develop tunnel vision and focus on spending time within their own departments.
The problem with having a narrow focus is that students are not here just to become good at a specific trade. While receiving a university education, students should become better critical thinkers and become educated in more than just a designated field of study.
While there is no requirement to become a well-rounded person, college is a wonderful chance to learn and grow in ways that are harder to do after graduating.
While in college, students can join existing student clubs with topics ranging from anime to soil science to rugby, or they can start their own if none of the existing groups interest them. Students can also take a class if they are more inclined to learn about a topic in an official setting.
College is a good place to try new things because there is a low level of risk. Many clubs are free to attend or have low costs for membership, and there are few or no consequences for deciding to leave at some point. The opportunities to participate are everywhere and often require only a participant’s time.
One of the great things about the University of Idaho is it’s actually pretty easy to find something new to try — there is even the department of Student Involvement, which is dedicated to adding to the student experience.
It’s important to take advantage of these opportunities now, because they’re not readily available outside of college. This is a unique time of life and students have the chance to explore options far outside their chosen career paths. This is the time for students to discover more about themselves and they should use it to their advantage.
Daphne Jackson can be reached at [email protected]