The Glossed Over Blog

In high school, I would join everything I could because I cared so much about what was on my resume. That was my mindset, a full resume equals an impressive resume. Coming into my first year of college, I wanted to do the same. I went to the activities fair and put my name on the email list of almost every table I went to. What I didn’t realize at the time is that getting involved in college means something completely different than it did in high school. It’s not just about checking boxes or padding your LinkedIn, it can also be about finding your people, discovering what actually lights you up, and growing into yourself in ways that aren’t always visible on paper.

I am currently co-correspondent for my campus’s chapter for HerCampus, Vice President for one of our dance troupes, and ethics chair for my sorority. When I first joined each of those groups, I was far from the confident, leadership-minded version of myself that people might assume I am now. I was reserved and definitely not outspoken. I second-guessed myself constantly. I didn’t always know where I fit in or whether I belonged in the room. But I showed up anyway. I forced myself to talk, even when I felt awkward. I didn’t magically become “involved” but I built my involvement through time which led to growth in my confidence and relationships. Here’s what I learned while being involved and why you should be too:

1. Confidence isn’t something you have, it’s something you build

I didn’t feel “qualified” to lead at first. But here’s what I did feel – passion. I knew I was passionate about every group I chose to be a part of. I knew I wanted to see all of them grow into something great and I wanted to do my part in that journey. That feeling of determination alone was all I needed to push myself to step up.

2. Your people are out there but you have to give yourself the chance to meet them

The friendships I’ve made through these groups aren’t surface-level. They’re built on shared goals and interests that we would’ve never realized we shared unless I put in the effort to know the people around me.

3. Being uncomfortable usually means you’re growing

Whether it was speaking in a meeting or dancing in front of a crowd, I’ve learned that pushing through those scary moments almost always leads to something worthwhile.

4. Leadership comes in many forms

I am a soft spoken person, I don’t always articulate my words the way I do in my mind but my leadership is more than my words, it is my actions.You don’t have to be loud or extroverted to make an impact. Sometimes leadership looks like being consistent, being thoughtful, or encouraging others to speak.

5. Time is valuable so spend it on things that energize you

When I first joined these groups, I really wanted everyone to like me. So when they needed a volunteer for anything, my hand was the first to shoot up. I realized that involvement doesn’t mean saying yes to everything but instead choosing to do the things you care the most about. I think that if you’re doing everything, you’ll only ever do it well. But when you do the things you care most about, you can make things better than great.

Getting involved in college has been one of the most rewarding parts of my experience so far, not because of the titles or positions, but because of the growth and the purpose it’s given me. It’s helped me figure out who I am, what I care about, and how I want to show up in the world. Whether you’re a first-year student feeling overwhelmed or someone further along still trying to find your place, just know this: you don’t have to have it all figured out to start. Say yes to something that excites you, even if it scares you a little. You might just surprise yourself with how far you’ll go and who you’ll become along the way.

Peace & Love,

Krys K <3