True-Allah L.
If you’re reading this, always remain true to yourself.
I know, I know. Everyone throws around that saying, but stay with me. I promise it’ll be worth it! Clemson is a special place, full place of endless opportunities and where you can grow into your true self. My Clemson Journey would not have been the same without the people I met along the way. It all started the summer before my freshman year with the Peer Wise Experience, where I connected with students who introduced me to opportunities that changed my life.
Let’s go back to Fall 2018, my freshman year. I lived in Lever Hall and was a part of the RiSE living-learning community and wanted to get more involved. I applied for Freshman Council and somehow got in! Getting to become the best of friends with 45 other freshmen was such a unique experience. Our directors would always say, “Trust the process” and “YOGOWYPI - you only get out what you put in.” I didn’t know it then, but these sayings would shape the remainder of my college experience.
Once I got involved with CUSG, I wanted to continue growing my involvement and tried to be a part of every single organization I saw at Tiger Prowl. I joined every organization's GroupMe and TigerQuest page, trying to do it all. From Central Spirit to CODA, Clemson Live to SAGA, PRISM to CMA, EDU to NSBE, you name it. I filled my calendar to the brim, believing I could handle it all. But that’s when burnout hit. I started missing commitments, skipping class, and distancing myself from those who cared about me most. Because I thought I could handle it all. And boy was I wrong.
My older brother committed suicide my spring semester freshman year and that crushed me. I withdrew even further, and it affected all aspects of my life. My grades started to slip and I ended freshman year with a 2.01 GPA. I was on academic warning. I felt ashamed. How was I going to go home and tell my mom and family that I failed classes? How had I gone from being in the top 10 in high school to being one letter grade away from being on academic probation in college? What was I going to do?!? Thank God for forgiveness and understanding, and for having an amazing support system. My mom was there for me, reminding me that she raised me to persevere and overcome difficult situations. So, I came back to college my sophomore year determined to do better and remember my why. I knew I had to turn things around. Not just for myself, but for my little brother in elementary school, who looked up to me.
It was almost like a complete 180 my sophomore year. I took the Strong Interest Inventory Assessment at the Career Center and realized I was better suited in a different major. I became more intentional about where I invested my time and energy. I leaned more into mentorship, allowing others to be there for me. I had this mindset that I could do it all and I didn’t have to let people know I was struggling because I was supposed to be strong and the person people could lean on. But relationships are a two-way street. You pour into others, but you must also allow them to pour into you.
My junior and senior years really were defining moments of my college experience and were the years that I was able to do things that fueled my passions and helped cement my legacy at Clemson. I became even more involved with student government, being on Senate, and even running for student body president. This was one of the most unique experiences and something that I look back to often. I was a Welcome Week leader, then VP of Recruitment, helping to shape a week of events that touch every aspect of campus and directly impact the incoming freshman class. I was an Orientation Ambassador and participated in Ready, Set, Roar! during the summer of 2022. Helping students transition and become oriented with Clemson was such a life-changing experience. I also had the privilege of serving as the Legacy Day Chair for Clemson in 2021 and 2022, recognizing individuals who give to Clemson in their will or trust. The beauty of being a part of this event is that I got to meet people so deeply invested in Clemson’s future they leave lasting gifts, even though they won’t be able to see the fruits of their labor. Being able to honor these individuals was so special and really instilled in me the significance of serving Clemson, giving back to my alma mater with my time, talent, and treasures, and finding a way to leave my legacy. And so I tried to do just that.
My most significant and most important experience for me was starting a club, The Swift Society at Clemson, with two of my closest friends Itzy & Lauren. That club has blessed me with friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. Taylor Swift and her team even recognized us for our efforts and sent us a thank you letter and Class of 2022 merch! A moment that will stay with us forever and always.
Being able to grow and discover who you are from the beginning of your college experience to the end would not be possible without cultivating and nurturing meaningful relationships. Stay connected to the people you meet. Whether it’s your academic advisor, a beloved Schilletter employee named Ms. Arsonya, your freshman year roommate, your orientation ambassador, your biology lab partner, your professor for the toughest class you took, President Clements, and everyone in between. Every relationship you make will leave a lasting impact on your life. I would not be at Clemson or getting my master’s in Student Affairs without the people who value student development and want to see us grow holistically.
College is a place where you discover who you really are and it is a trying place. You will face many trials and tribulations, but keep the faith. Trust the process. You are going to experience things you’ve never even dreamed of, and that’s the beauty of college. Stay true to who you are, embrace every opportunity no matter how big or small, and believe me. It’ll all be worth it in the end.
True-Allah L., Clemson University
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