Students should try new things, get out of their comfort zones

Get involved — one of the many phrases you’ll hear time and time again once you come to college.

And as important as immersing yourself into the college culture is, it’s also important to keep things in perspective.

If you’re like me, or even if you’re not, college in itself can be a huge adjustment.

Yes, get involved. Go to some games, check out some student organizations, take a day trip with some friends.

If trying new things is your thing, there are plenty of options. If classes are enough to make you feel overwhelmed, don’t feel obligated to get everything checked off your bucket list your first year. You might not even come up with a bucket list until you’ve been here a year, anyway.

The college experience means something different to everyone, and it should. If you want to become a Student Government Association senator your first year, great. If you want to stick with intramural sports, that’s fine too. That’s why the college experience is so great — not because it entails anything specific, but because it can.

Ultimately, do what makes you happy.

And if you don’t know exactly what makes you happy at the University South Dakota right away, you’re not alone. Don’t rely on being busy or involved to feel validated. If you do, that’s cool too.

USD is a great place to be. Even if you don’t love it right away, at least appreciate the opportunities it presents.

(Photo: A drone owned and operated by the University of South Dakota marketing department flies over a parade of first year students on their way to the Fall 2014 Convocation ceremony. File photo / The Volante)