If you have yet to notice, I am a nerd. I go out of my way to find additional resources to learn, I actively attend trivia nights whenever possible, and I loooooove reading.
However, if there is one thing that can equal instantly being ostracized in today's society, it is nerdiness. Throughout high school and my time as an undergraduate, I struggled to find a place where I felt accepted for being ME. I joined groups like quiz bowl, but also played sports in high school. I knew my peers avoided me because they thought I was "too smart" and "too uppity" for a simple, small-town high school. Goals and aspirations beyond which party to attend next weekend were not their forte. I knew that if I did not escape the area, I would regret never chasing my own dreams.
The problem was, I did not know what those dreams were. I simply knew that I did not want to be like all of the girls I knew - sweeping the front step of a trailer with multiple kids underfoot, hoping that my boyfriend/husband/man of the moment would come home and not be too grumpy from whatever slight had occurred at work that day.
I thought that going to college would help me discover my purpose. I truly believed that a change of scenery, different people, and an environment where individuals are encouraged to succeed would greet me. False. It took a lot of work for me to feel connected at my undergraduate institution. Despite serving on the executive cabinet of Student Senate, I certainly was not connected to my peers. In classes, I often felt as if I were a solo unit, hoping to simply make it through. College challenged me to learn and grow, but I never felt accepted for being myself.
I ultimately found a single organization where I could blossom, grow, and be myself. I think it was simpler to be myself since the organization was virtual for the most part, with three conferences per year bringing delegates together. I was able to apply my desire to be more sociable with my love of helping others, and served a year as the chair for recruitment and retention. The next year, I chose to challenge myself in a new way and served as the director after being elected by my peers. It was so refreshing to finally find a place where I belonged.
With this, I thought that my connection in a regional organization would easily transfer over to a love of housing. My current GA position as a Residence Hall Director has been challenging, a struggle, and full of learning moments. In this experience, I have realized that my passions lie in the administrative moments as well as the moments where you simply get to be with students and live. As I search for a new GA position, I know that I have lived up to my own expectations, but have ultimately discovered another area where I do not "fit".
So...why does any of this matter?
Quite simply, I have been fixated on the concept of transition for some time. In my transition from one student leadership role to the next, I firmly advocated that one should leave their successor in a place where they could readily access the materials necessary to succeed. Additionally, I believe that it is important to continue to provide encouragement and show that despite leaving an organization or department, you still care about their success.
Insert the "nerd alert". I discovered - through Facebook, of course - that Dr. Nancy Schlossberg will be speaking at the New College of Florida in April. A mere four hours away, I could not rest until I found out when Dr. Schlossberg would speak. I have been able to apply her transition theory in particular to my own life, and being able to hear the theorist bring the words to life is impossible to bypass. Unable to find information on the college's website, I resorted to emailing Dr. Schlossberg directly, resigning myself to the possibility that I would not receive a response. I may have...okay...did scream a mere two hours later when I had a response. A little bit of persistence goes a long way. :)
Taking time to chase what you believe is right for you is important - while you may struggle, not enjoy the task, or find that you do not fit, you can never know until you try. Life is full of transitions, and it is important to embrace the possibilities that are available.
