Dear reader,

Here I am again, sitting down in a Starbucks, staring at a blank Google Doc and wondering what type of advice I should grace my readers with this time around.

I’m going to start by saying, here we are, it’s the beginning of the semester again.

Every semester I have to remind myself that I’m at college for a reason. I’m here to learn and grow and expand myself.

While that is true, the real truth lies in the fact that it can be very scary to push myself sometimes.

There were a few times my very first semester that I didn’t do things out of fear.

I remember one specific instance where I signed up for a workout class in McPhee. I was excited to try it, but the only other time I had taken one I had gone with my roommate.

I was terrified to go by myself. What if everyone there had friends? What if I looked stupid doing the workout?

Those negative thoughts got in the way. I was only two minutes late and I walked all the way to the room, but the second I got to the door, I turned around and went back to my dorm.

I was worrying so much about what other people were going to think that I held myself back from a new experience.

This semester, I told myself I was going to try the workout classes again. I am proud to say I have gone to two so far, even when I almost turned around and went back to my dorm both times.

I overthink and it’s something that has gotten in the way many different times. One of my goals is to stop letting overthinking stand in the way of taking chances.

Now, if I am able, I will take any opportunity that comes my way, no matter how scary it may be.

Recently I became a Campus Ambassador, meaning I give tours and help with events on campus. One thing about me is that I am not a big public speaker.

You may be thinking, “Well, Skyler, if you absolutely despise talking in front of people, why would you do something where that’s your whole job?”

I took the opportunity because I wanted to push myself. I wanted to force myself to do something that terrified me because I knew I would only grow from it.

Yes, I’m scared and there have been a few times when I wondered if I’m in over my head. However, I’m done living in fear. I’m done shying away from opportunities out of fear.

You’re in college. Take chances and push yourself to do those scary things. It’s all about tearing down that mental block that so often holds us back.

Think about your future self. Think about how happy you will be once you’ve done so many things and you came out on the other side stronger and more knowledgeable than before.

You are capable of so many things.

Take those chances and grow from them. Spread your wings and show yourself and the world the power you have.

Most importantly, live your life with no regrets.

Here’s to a semester pushing ourselves and taking chances.

Lots of love and hugs of encouragement,

Skyler

Schad can be reached at [email protected].