No matter how annoyingly popular, exhaustingly involved or competitively brainy you were in high school, entering an institution like UCLA is overwhelming and somewhat stripping of that comfortable identity.
I was quite the involved one in high school, and I thought I would mirror the same type of participation once I became an undergraduate. But as I relish in the summer before my third year here, this isn’t the first time I’m realizing that I don’t participate in UCLA life as much as I could, and I can only theorize why my behavior would differ so greatly within the span of just a few years.
With hundreds of departments, thousands of students and what seems like millions of clubs and organizations, sometimes it feels inevitable that one will get lost in the shuffle. And I’m sure many do, limiting their experience here solely to the classroom. Of course, you also encounter students who spend endless hours devoting themselves to work beyond school, students who are quite plainly burnt out. So where is the balance, and how can one find it?
Understanding that a balance exists between your personal interests and making purposeful decisions for your future, let alone finding it, is key ““ creating meaning in one’s endeavors instead of flippantly looking to fluff up a resume is not only ultimately healthier, but shows dedication and underscores your individuality. But it’s a daunting process, nonetheless.
When entering UCLA, there is the immediate struggle of wanting to stay afloat, making sure grades don’t slip ““ with remnants of high school overachievement, a 3.0 seems blasphemous. At least, that played a partial role in my delayed search for more, because I also observed a very different struggle among hallmates or classmates ““ hastily joining several organizations, maintaining that busy schedule to which most of us had been accustomed.
I think that creates really early stress. I have noted that I don’t take advantage of all resources here, but I still have slowly grown to involve myself, mostly because I have become more comfortable on this campus.
When in high school, it’s so much easier to find your place. Solidifying a community is simpler, especially if you already found yours when younger. I knew I liked to write, so I wrote ““ I didn’t have more than ten publications to choose from.
Here at UCLA, elementary school comrades are replaced with strangers, Mr. Feeneys with world-renowned professionals, and the little band room with Royce Hall and Schoenberg Hall.
Sifting through the masses of opportunities has not only seemed overwhelming but nearly impossible. For a long time, I didn’t know how to decipher what activities could aid me in enhancing my experience.
Though it’s probably safe to say that being involved in anything wouldn’t be a complete waste of time, since every experience has potential for personal progress, no one wants to use a quarter dedicating themselves to something that doesn’t feel entirely worthy in the end.
After all, time is not passed anymore, it is spent ““ especially at a four-year university, how you choose to allocate your time is invaluable and can have far-reaching consequences.
Sometimes it was laziness, sometimes fear of interference with school work, sometimes the reasons way above, most of the time a complex concoction of all, but I finally found myself yearning for more than the daily and monotonous hustle of classes. I knew I could handle more and wanted to, and maybe it took a while but I think I made smart choices.
Time may be invaluable, but using it to explore one’s options and then pursuing your interests with vigor is more meaningful.
Beginning to write for the newspaper was one of the best decisions I have made at this school, and it quickly made me revisit the fulfillment of doing what I enjoy in a prolific manner.
Shortly after, I joined another organization on campus, unrelated but equally rewarding ““ CALPIRG, which advocates for environmental issues and L.A. homelessness.
I now stand happier, between writing and social work, because these are the two activities I have always pursued and loved.
UCLA is an intimidating experience but a beautiful and rewarding one.
Make sure you pursue what you truly enjoy instead of letting the pressure of wanting success and happiness propel you to either extreme. It’s hard to tell which is worse: doing nothing or doing everything.