A lot of people stumble into college having no idea what they want to do with their lives or what type of person they want to be. Admittedly, I still usually stumble through the days having little to no idea in which direction I am traveling in. We have all heard the spiel 100 times over-- "college is the time for you to grow as a person and develop into who you really are, yada, yada."

I certainly have heard this more than a few times; but generally, I shrug it off and chalk it up to the old-timers reminiscing about the good old days and passing somewhat useless advice on to us kids these days. However, it is so true. The choices you make once you are on your own in college and the activities that you chose to participate, the way you chose to spend your precious minutes everyday, has a huge influence on the type of person you are, or you can be.

Some activities around campus are admittedly resume-boosters, some are clubs and groups that you joined just for fun, a fair number are philanthropic, an even bigger number are career oriented. How many activities on campus that you are involved in can you say are all of these things and so much more? How much influence on your life can you see any of these having?

When I joined the Dance Marathon community it was just something I was moderately interested in, a way to meet some new people, and just something to do. A year later, it is so much more to me than that. Being on a committee and working side by side with some of the most passionate and brilliant people I know changed how I saw myself and those around me. Applying to be on a committee was one of the best decisions I made my freshman year, and if I could go back in time I would one million percent, without a doubt, do it again.

Over the past year, Dance Marathon became a daily thought for me. The many months leading up to the marathon in November were filled with excitement, exhaustion, exasperation, and elation. The actual marathon itself... words can hardly describe. The range of emotions I felt in the short (and sometimes very long) 18 hours was certainly a roller coaster. But it was the kind of roller coaster that you immediately get back in line for. And then ride 37 more times.

It really is difficult for me to explain my exact thoughts about the marathon and the community that surrounds the marathon. I met some of my (now) best friends by sitting next to them and working with them during committee meetings. I gained role models who are over a decade younger than me-- talk about a humbling experience. I was introduced to a huge population of students on campus with similar passions, motivations, and aspirations for their futures. I met administrators at Riley who are incredibly intelligent and talented. I met family members who are amazingly strong and hopeful. It really is a unique and gifted cross section of the population here at Purdue.

My advice to anyone who is even remotely considering applying for a committee position for PUDM 2016: do it. One hundred percent, do it. Even though you may lose a few Facebook friends due to the nonstop PUDM propaganda you will inevitably be posting and annoy a few family members by hitting them up for donations, it will be worth it at the end of those 18 hours in November. I guarantee you will meet at least one person who will enhance your life and I double-guarantee that you will have tons of incredible experiences along the road.