College is a time for many firsts on various levels for people: first time away from home, first time living without anyone familiar, first time sharing a bedroom. For some, it’s even the first time doing their own laundry or cooking for themselves. While these are all big firsts, there are some firsts that college student blogs and “what to expect in college” YouTube videos don’t prepare you for.

College is a really good time to try new things. There are lots of clubs and organizations that you can explore interests in and meet people through these groups. There are trips and other opportunities to go to new places. There are places to get involved on campus to make a difference in your college experience or the experience of future students.

Before college, I really wasn't a risk-taker. I was a very consistent, average person. I don't know what exactly changed in the last three years, but for whatever reason, I take many more risks these days. Some of the best things that ever happened to me in college have happened because I took a risk and tried something new. I have landed internships, scholarships, and leadership roles because of the chances I’ve taken over the last three years. Maybe more importantly, many of these risks lead me to some of my best friends and favorite memories.

My first risk was my sophomore year of college, but my first year at my four year school. I saw the opportunity to become my residence hall complex’s Historian. The flyer said “Do you like history? Do you like to take pictures?” Yep and yep, so I sent in my self-nomination and ran unopposed. That was my first real leadership role and I enjoyed it so much that in the Spring I applied to be the campus-wide Historian in the Association of Residence Halls. That spring of my first year at the University of Mary Washington, I learned about the chance to work with Habitat for Humanity during Spring Break (aka Alternative Spring Break aka ASB). It certainly sounded more interesting than sitting at my parents’ house for a week so I took a chance and signed up for the trip. We had three options: Florida, Alabama, or North Carolina. The friend who told be about ASB was going to go to Florida so I decided to go to Florida, too. I had never worked with Habitat and was already taking a chance on this trip and wasn’t brave enough to do this trip without knowing at least one person in my group.

That trip was began the list of firsts and new experiences. We built the walls to a house after we spent a day painting another house. Later in the week, we installed windows. Without that trip, I never would have picked up a powertool or met some of my best friends. One of the girls and I ended up being roommates the next year. About half of us from the first trip returned to Florida last spring break too and built more houses.

The next year I ended up applying to be an ASB leader for the following spring break but was asked to become the Habitat for Humanity club president instead. The club was essentially non-existent when I became president. I had to fill all of the positions, create social media accounts (follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), and grow the club from zero members to something reasonable. I think this was one of the most important things that happened to me in college, maybe my whole life. I had to learn to be a leader and get all these tasks done. Although it hasn’t been smooth-sailing, it’s been a good, giant learning experience. The club isn’t as big as I wish it could be but we’re working on it. We’re only a year and a half old so sometimes I have to remind myself that we’re still one of the newest clubs on campus.

In addition to the big leadership role of being President of Habitat, my junior year I added a vice president position of a small group, as well as Historian for one of the most active organizations on campus. We put on some of the top 5 biggest events on our campus so there’s a lot of responsibility and organization needed to keep us afloat and on top of things. My senior (current) year, my positions are President, Senior Warden, and Publicity Chair of three organizations in addition to my internship.

If college students need to take a risk on anything, it should be related to their academics or future career. These risks could really pay off now, in a few months or in a few years. Perhaps several of my most important risks are the ones that fall into this category. I took a risk the summer between my junior and senior year and asked a historic site that wasn’t even looking for interns if I could intern for them. They said that they wouldn’t be able to pay me but they would love to have an intern! I honestly feel like I learned more about the museum world in the first few weeks there than I could have in a classroom. They let me try out so many things in their site that I couldn’t learn from any readings a professor could assign.

I have a new internship now. I got it (and the scholarship attached to it) by taking a stab into the dark at applying to the scholarship/internship that I thought for sure would be awarded to someone else. I didn’t have any experience before this point and I knew other students applying would likely have a higher GPA than me. Boy was I surprised when I was at the end of the year department picnic and heard my name called for the scholarship/internship recipient. The scholarship attached to interning at this museum pays for over a third of my total tuition each semester so it was definitely worth the risk.

My most recent risk was writing a play for some theater students to perform. I had taken a play writing class two years ago and really enjoyed it. When a friend posted on Facebook that they were looking for several playwrights for an event, I figured “why not?” Within 24 hours, I had to write a short play which my “team” had about 24 hours to learn and perform. By taking a risk, I had my first produced play within 48 hours of the initial risk. I’m not sure if I’ll ever write a play again, but who knows? Maybe an opportunity will arise again. It was a fun, no real risk opportunity I took advantage of.

Sometimes a risk doesn’t have a reward but it's worth a shot. I wouldn’t be so involved at school, have met some of my best friends, had two internships, have a scholarship or have a produced play if I hadn’t been willing to take a risk. College is the time for risks. You have a whole lifetime ahead of you. Now is the time to learn and grow as a person. Learn what you like and don’t like; learn what you’re good at and not so good at; take the chance on something new. Just do it. You’ll miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.