Campus & Community Engagement


WEEK ONE: CAMPUS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
As I embark on my collegiate journey it is good to know about the resources that are available to aid me in the struggles that are certain to come. Leaving home, and gaining an entirely new schedule has been exciting yet completely overwhelming. I can say that I did not get lost during the first week of school. However, with the task of handling my education I am certain that I will require some guidance. In college there are many ways that a student can become involved, and at Georgia Southern there are any many resources to promote campus and community engagement within the student body. There are resources to assist students struggling academically such as academic advising, the academic success center, and the writing center. The University also provides resources such as the library and computer labs to students which allows for the Eagle nation to do research and enhance our knowledge. Although academics are essential for a positive college experience, there is another component to having a memorable experience. Going to college can be stressful for students and not having family members alongside them can worsen the situation. That is why community engagement is so important. Having a network of friends to support you, is one way to enhance your time on any campus. Georgia Southern offers students the chance to make these connections through the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement. These resources provide opportunities for students to volunteer to give back to the local community and social opportunities to connect with Georgia Southern. Students can participate in events such as the Eagle Beach Bash during the “Weeks Of Welcome.” The “Weeks Of Welcome” are going on right now and are a great way for new students to engage with one another!
Image result for georgia southern campus The weeks of welcome sign
In class this week, we discussed the meaning of the word “engage.” The girl sitting next to me and I came to the decision that a good definition for the word engage is to be apart of something or to invest in something. This word is small however, if you’re willing to put this word into practice then it can have the power to positively impact your college experience. In class we watched the video “How to Graduate College With a Job You Love & Less Debt" (link below). This video featured Jullien Gordon and he spoke on the contrast of street smarts and book smarts. However, the connection between “easy-street” and college is not the same straight path it used to be according to Mr. Gordon. The college experience is what you make of it. As you work hard and pursue your passions it is so important for students to have a connection to their campus and the community surrounding them. The video also discussed how it is harder to obtain a job today than it was in years past. I personally agree with this fact that unsettled myself and many others in the room. We all agree that this fact causes us stress. However, there is hope in the fact that when we get busy we can ask others for help. After reading two articles called, “The Disease of Being so Busy” and “Why is Asking for help so Difficult”, I realized the value of knowing your own limits. I was deeply impacted by the statement “When did we forget that we are human beings, not human doings?”. This quote from Omid Safi’s article “The Disease of Being so Busy” reflects on the “destructive habits” of being too busy. Furthermore, the next article, “Why is Asking for help so Difficult” helps to reveal the truth that it is alright to practice asking for assistance when needed. Together these articles reinforce that the campus resources at Georgia Southern can help students engage, ease their work-load, and adjust to college life. 

Image result for georgia southern campus 




















LINKS:

-The Disease of being so busy - Omid Safi

-Why is Asking for help so Difficult? - Alina Tugend

-How to Graduate College With a Job You Love & Less Debt - Jullien Gordon

Comments

  1. Emma WilliamsAugust 25, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    First of all, I love how cute your blog is Livia! You made some really good points in your blog. When reading your introduction, I relate to the fact that you saw Georgia Southern as just the right size. That is one of my favorite things about Georgia Southern. You can have the opportunities of a large university, but it still feels like home. I loved the resources you mentioned! I have actually went to many of the "Weeks of Welcome" events so far and it has made the college experience great so far! I cannot wait to read your next blog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Michelle GibsonAugust 25, 2019 at 3:05 PM

    Awh wow this is so awesome! You really have such a cute blog with some very wise words in it as well! I also thought that Georgia Southern was the perfect size for me whenever I visited the very first time!

    ReplyDelete

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