By: Alyssa Uribe, SDSU Chapter Member
When you were 5 years old you were probably afraid of the dark or the monster hiding under your bed. Each time you raced to the light switch to seek out what was hiding in the darkness, you unveiled your bedroom just as you left it and when you ducked down to check under the bed there was no sign of monster. Looking back now, our childhood fears seem irrational. Over the years we have accepted that monsters aren’t real and there is nothing to fear in the dark. We overcame our childish anxieties- or so we think.
Today, as college students, we actually seem to hold the same fears. We fear the dark. We fear the unknown. When the lights are on, we are comfortable, following our daily schedule. We stick to what we do well and convince ourselves that we need nothing more. We tell ourselves “I’m too busy” or “I’ll try it another time.”We are afraid to intentionally place ourselves in the dark. We hate the feeling of being uncomfortable or not being in control. When it comes to pursuing internships, leadership roles, or research opportunities, we hesitate. We let our fears overwhelm and rob us of our curiosity. The unknown has always scared us. Why not let it inspire us?
Until you recognize these fears and make a change, your fear will continue to run your life. You have the power to choose to overcome your fears by approaching them with unwarranted confidence. Be the person you have always been too afraid to be and don’t question yourself. Open yourself up to endless possibilities. In a world where we have countless opportunities at our fingertips, we fail to take advantage and seize each one.
This summer I ask that you use your time to make a list of everything you feel an interest in and pursue it whole-heartedly. Whether you have been wanting to learn to play the piano, travel to another country, or apply for an internship; put yourself out there and make it happen. Free yourself from your fears and follow paths you never imagined taking. The only thing that can hold you back is yourself.