When I first started my journey at Western Washington University, I quickly realized that college was nothing like I expected it to be. I lived in the dorms and never became best friends with my suitemates, I went home every weekend, the academic side of school didn’t push me to reach my full potential, and I didn’t have the amazing social life that all my friends from other schools had shared on Instagram and Snapchat.
Ultimately, college had been underwhelming for the first few months, until I realized that everything I needed to be successful was right in front of me.
On registration day over the summer, which was the first time I ever signed up for classes, I was in full panic mode. Not to be dramatic, but I was sweating and my hands were shaking so bad people probably thought I was on something. The third class that I wanted to take was already full, so I had to improvise and sign up for a class that fit into the right time slot.
This class ended up being the best thing that could have happened to me my first year of college.
The class was called Advocacy Through Media and it was taught by Heather Davidson; a badass, pink haired, tattoo-covered, girl boss professor who left me in awe the first time I heard her talk.
In taking Heather’s Advocacy Through Media class, I got to create a blog, make a video, start working with the "#WeAreWWU" campaign, and most importantly, I met a group of students who I have been with the entire year and whose creativity and kindness has inspired me more than I could have imagined.
"#WeAreWWU" is a student-run philanthropy, created by Heather in 2015. All money that we raise goes to clubs and organizations across campus, along with one scholarship given out each year. This year, out of pure luck, I had the opportunity to work on this campaign is not only the Advocacy Through Media Class, but also through an Event Planning class and now, a Fundraising class.
For Kyle Graham (pictured above), a senior studying Communications, "#WeAreWWU" means a lot to him. "It gives a voice to those who feel like they don't have a voice, especially in a big University like Western," he said. "Heather is a life-changing professor. She's the best professor I've ever had."
I am a first-generation college student. The main reason why I was able to go to a four-year university is that I worked hard in high school and I received scholarships. What is so special about the "#WeAreWWU" scholarship is that it is students who are raising the money to improve the lives of other Western students.
What better affirmation is there than to know that your peers are taking their time to raise money for you to have more opportunities?
Tori Almos (pictured above) is also a senior majoring in Communication Studies. "Over anything, '#WeAreWWU' is friendship to me," said Tori. "... I have made so many amazing friends from this campaign and the opportunity to create those friendships and network in a way that is so enriching to my life... it lets me contribute to something bigger than myself."
I have no doubt that I would have transferred Universities had I not had the opportunity to work with a professor and classmates who inspire and challenge me every single day.College began as a disappointingly underwhelming experience, but there is no way I could receive this kind of unique education and support at any other University.
It is totally normal for your college experience to not be what you were expecting, but Heather has taught me that the only way you can feel fulfilled with your college career is if you change your reality.
Go out there and make it happen.
