As a freshman coming into George Mason I had very high hopes of what college would be like. Now, I am not at all disappointed with the experience I have had at George Mason but it is very different from what I thought it would be. A lot has happened in my short time at Mason. For example, I just found out that my undergraduate experience at Mason would be a lot shorter than I had originally thought. It seems as though I am graduating a year early and I am pretty nervous/excited about it, but we will get to that later. I spent my freshman year sort of like any other freshman. I tried to make as many friends as possible and get involved in any way that I could. It took me a while at first but after a few weeks, I started getting the hang of things and getting to a certain flow.
My lovely LEAD crew ft. little Zoe
I don’t know what made me start going to L-Team meetings in the fall semester of my freshman year. I remember, I was cleaning my room one day and I found a card from the LEAD office that advertised the L-Team meetings that were held every Tuesday at 7:30. I decided that I would try it out the following Tuesday and see how it was. I don’t know if it was the atmosphere of the office, the people, or all of the exciting things that were planned for the LEAD office that year but something hooked me. I really enjoyed all of the different leadership activities that we did in the LEAD Office. Those L-Team meetings were the first time I ever thought of myself as a leader. Before I came into the LEAD office I had the idea that a leader was one type of person and I never thought I fit that criterion. Through activities like the StrengthsFinder, True colors, and the Myers Briggs I was able to find out that there are a multitude of different leadership styles and every one of them has strengths. As I began to see myself as a leader more and more, I felt more confident and ready to take on some leadership positions and try new things.
Throughout my time at Mason I have served as the Outreach Chairperson for Chase Dreams Not Boys, a Leadership Consultant, a Student Senator, an applied developmental research RA Manager, a Mason Ambassador, and the secretary for the Omicron Iota chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Each of these positions are serving as learning experiences for me. I have learned more about myself as a leader and how to properly manage my time and priorities. I feel that the skills I learn as a student leader on campus will prepare me for what life will be like when I graduate and enter the workforce. Student leaders learn lessons that many will have to learn on the job and gain experience that employers tend to look for.
Me showing my love for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at the Washington Monument!
Last year, I became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I can not explain how happy it makes me to know that I get to say this. Growing up, I did not know anything about Greek life or more specifically, African american Greek life. When I got to college and learned more about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, there was something in me that knew that that was where I belonged. The purpose of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life. These are things that I wish to do for the rest of my life and now with my membership in the sorority, I am surrounded by women who strive to do the same. I have gained sisters who I love very much. I can’t wait to watch all that they do and watch all that we do for the Mason community and the greater community around us.
I have been lucky enough to meet some great people throughout my time here at Mason. I have met some of my best friends and I have gotten the chance to work with what I believe is one of the best teams ever. These relationships have also helped contribute to the person I am today. My friends and family have been there to make me laugh and cheer me up when the pressures of college got to me. The LEAD Office has served as a stress free place for me to run to when I need to get things done or when I simply need to talk. Having these people and this space available for me has taught me a lot about myself and others. It has taught me how to lean on people when needed and it has showed me that I should never be afraid to ask for help, especially at this point in my life.