Celebrating Failure

1.     Something I somewhat failed at doing multiple times this semester was garnering engagement for one of my organizations. I serve on the leadership committee and it largely falls on me and my peers to get new members and existing members connected. However, while we were still in Gainesville this semester we tried to host events and activities that would foster the camaraderie that we sought after. These didn’t fully work out, and each time there was usually a low turnout.

2.     I learned through this experience that college students aren’t the most reliable people, and they are very stubborn. It is sometimes difficult to rally a large group of people that feel passionate enough that they want to devote their free time to something. I learned that you have to make engagement opportunities extremely convenient, and you have to ensure that the events are coordinated well so people keep coming back.

3.     This semester has not been a defining time of failure but while I have been in college I have definitely had to cope with the struggle of failing. I openly tell people that when I was walking out of my first year at UF I considered the entire time I had spent until that point as a failure. Now I look back and I see that failure is a part of life. Also, things find a way to work themselves out, and what may seem like a failure could turn out to be a blessing.