As a Spartan Orientation Leader, I am expected to constantly be one of the most optimistic and happy people of all time, even if it's not the case because I know that people are always watching. Just because I am having a bad day doesn't mean that I can show it, because I have to remember that each orientation is that student's first real exposure to the university, and their first real taste of the culture here at UNC Greensboro. I am constantly reminded that I am not only representing myself, but my team, my supervisors, and furthermore the university itself as an ambassador of the university, and these students look up to me not only for guidance but as a role model.

Once these students leave orientation I want them to be dead set on their choice to come to UNCG, and to know that I can be a part of that decision and have that much of a positive impact makes me feel really good. My team and I put in countless hours to help make SOAR possible, and it is my job to help keep these incoming transfers and first-year students at UNCG and to not only help them navigate campus and connect with resources and peers but to feel more comfortable and confident going into their first semester of college and with that transition to adulthood. So, you could definitely say that my job is kind of a big deal.

Saying that sometimes I find myself feeling tired and burnt out, because of the long days and constantly having to maintain a positive attitude and smile on my face. There have been days when I've been like you know what, I just need to go take a nap because I'm not doing anybody any favors by not taking care of myself.

The reason why I bring up my experience as an SOS is because I know that this is something that we all should have learned a long time ago, and if not, need to start doing. I have learned that it is so much harder to be sad or upset when you are smiling. It literally makes a world of a difference. You may feel like you are going through the most but you really don't know what somebody else may be going through, and you want to treat them with the same respect and kindness that you would want them to treat you with.

At the end of the day, it is all about common courtesy and professionalism. You have to realize that although you may be going through some rough patches there is always somebody going through something worse, and know that even if you aren't feeling the best your smile can be that positive influence on somebody else to make their day a little bit better, and that's just being a decent human being and good member of society.

In the subtitle I said that sometimes you have to fake it till you make it but to clarify, this applies to things that you are doing that you know you want to do and there is something bad going on in your life that is preventing you from having the desire or passion to do it. Whenever I feel down and find myself frustrated as an SOS I have to remind myself why I wanted to be an SOS in the first place, and that even when I feel like I'm not doing much, at the end of the day somebody took something positive away from what I do, and I was able to make a positive impact on at least one person, which is one of the most rewarding things ever.

I didn't want to be a Spartan Orientation Leader just because it looked fun and I'd get to dance and cheer, but because I knew that I would be able to make a difference in someone's life who is about to experience some of the same things and struggles that I just went through. That first year can be rough, and the transition can be hard. My first year had it's rough patches as well, but knowing what I know now, for me being able to share those experiences and that knowledge with someone else, and to have people look up to me as a role model is the best gift I could ever ask for and the most rewarding feeling ever.

So I say to all of you, whenever your down just try to remember the end goal, and why you are doing what you are doing. You have the power to change your attitude, and believe it or not smiling the pain away does help, and eventually, you won't have to fake it, because it is just your identity, and you become the person that you want to be.