Written by Shamira James
Kelsey Lee is a sophomore from Vienna, VA majoring in environmental studies.
“I guess to state the obvious, I do A LOT on campus.I’m an RA and a group fitness instructor teaching Mixed Fit. I’m on the women’s intramural soccer team. I’m president of the Equestrian Club and the Student Firearms Association. I work with the beekeeping club and Young Life, and I go to church with Catholic Campus Ministries, and I think that’s about it.
People think it’s a little crazy that I take on so much, but I’ve always been this way. In high school I was always super involved, and I guess I learned that from my mom because she’s a busy body herself. My dad always would make fun of us for it, but I just like to stay busy. I was a girl scout; I did all types of sports from gymnastics to bowling, and I never felt like it was too much because I was enjoying everything so much.
I think the stigma that freshman are intimidated by everything their freshman year is valid, but I just came in and decided that couldn’t be me. I wanted to get the most out of everything, so I just went sign-up crazy and signed up for a bunch of different clubs, and then I just whittled it down to what I really liked whether it was from high school or a new interest.
Having all these groups makes it hard to find a group I can do EVERYTHING with, and all of my groups don’t overlap into this one big family. However, there are some places where there is a little bit of overlap, and that’s always nice to see some consistent faces, but even then I’m a people person. I try to say hi to everyone around campus just to have that feeling of knowing people because it’s such a small school – everyone should have someone to say hi to.
My biggest advice for anyone who isn’t involved besides the obvious ‘get involved’ schtick is to put yourself out there! Sign up for everything, go to the interest meetings, and see what it’s about, and if you don’t like it then that’s fine, but you have to try. People might be hesitant because they don’t like to do something alone, but I think that just the sheer joy of doing something you like or are even interested in, don’t worry about. Everyone is there to have a good time and explore – all you have to do is sign up.
