I think as college women, many of us make the tragic mistake of underrating ourselves. We cut ourselves down by underestimating our potential and only focusing on our perceived flaws. We take the things that we do for granted, never patting ourselves on the back for being committed, conscious citizens.
In this class, I believe that through the curriculum, we’ve learned that not everyone can do what we do. We’ve learned that as leaders, we are unique from those who choose not to lead. We’ve made the decision to put ourselves out there, by becoming involved with an additional commitment to balance with the rest of our lives.
I am one of those people who takes everything I do for granted. I never sit back and think, wow, it is really unique that I have made the choice to take on more than just that which I am obligated to do. I take it for granted that I care about the groups I am a part of and that I want to make them better. I rarely stop and think that it isn’t the rule, but truly the exception. I feel that through this class, I have learned to appreciate my leadership qualities, and to appreciate others who share them.
As a third year student, I had begun the all too common descent into the feelings of irritation that often come as an upperclassman in a sorority. As an older sister, it is common to begin to feel like you may be tired of all of the obligations that come with membership of a chapter. Often, we begin to resent the time a sorority takes when we have a million other things to do, and feel less connected than we have previously. In this class, we had the opportunity to reevaluate our reasons for loving and joining our organizations, something we do not do often enough. When I sat back and reflected on why I initially was so enchanted by my organization, why I loved it so much, I realized that those are all of the reasons that I still do love my organization. I realized how worth it all of the little commitments and obligations are, because those are what it takes to keep my organization going round. And though I don’t always have or want to make the time, if I keep in mind why I love my sorority so much, it makes obligations seem a lot more like benefits! I think this is something we need to do frequently with our upperclassmen, because I know I was not the only person feeling this way, but I really believe that if we could remind everyone of what it was about their organization that they loved so much that they wanted to become a member, maybe people would continue to appreciate their sororities and want to remain an active member.
I am realizing more than ever that there is real room for growth and development within the SFL community, and though it may seem daunting to embark on a journey of change, it is up to the people who really care about the vitality of our community to step up and make a difference. Change won’t happen overnight, and they certainly won’t happen unless people make it their priority. But it is people like us, the people who step up to try new things because we care about making a difference that will be the catalysts for change in our community. It is not some unattainable, far away person that will make a difference. It is us.
Before I don’t think I ever thought about it, but now I feel that I want to represent the SFL community in the best way that I can. I have realized the stigmas attached to the community we are in and I would like to be a part of combating the sometimes negative image we are associated with. I feel very responsible for being a model of the good involved with being an SFL member, and it is going to be something I remain very cognizant of as I continue on as a student here at OSU.
I feel empowered after taking this class. I feel like it really is possible to step up and lead my peers in ways I never expected. I feel like I have learned invaluable tools that will help me lead not just in college, but throughout my life in everything I do. I feel empowered to step up and be a more involved, positive member of my chapter, and to be an advocate for the entire SFL community. I have only seen the tip of the iceberg in terms of ways to lead and make a change in this world, but I think that I am on the right path and will feel compelled to utilize the tools I have been given to be a leader for the rest of my life.
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