How to succeed at putting the ‘U’ in JSU

Taylor Bembery
Variety Editor

I remember the day my parents dropped me off in the back of Alexander Residence Hall after we came from lunch on the last day of freshman week. Even though I was sad to see them go and went to my dorm room and cried for at least 45 minutes, I had to realize they were leaving me to embark on a journey at Jackson State University. A journey I would have to conquer on my own.
When you get to college and you’re living on campus away from the watchful eye of your guardian(s), the first word you think of is: FREEDOM. You are free to do whatever you please [ in adherence to the student handbook of course] but nonetheless you are free to make your own decisions. This includes choosing how you want to eat, sleep, party, when you want to go to class, how you want to dress, etc. College is all about decisions; good or bad, you have to make them on your own.
I wouldn’t want to bore the JSU freshmen Class of 2017 and tell them college is all about studying hard every night, attending all the SGA meetings, doing community service any chance you get, and joining every club and organization on campus, but in the long run, these are entities that will push you towards a successful matriculation at JSU.
If you choose not to take that route and start early because you are in the “Turn-Up” phase, which is completely normal for an incoming freshman, beware, this phase has lingering effects.
“Turn-Up” phase freshmen are more concerned about what outfit they will wear to impress that cute girl/boy in their University Success class, are prompt to every Friday  Hotspot, whether they have class or not, will make sure they make it to every party or club event during weekdays and weekends, and last but not least; chill on the plaza more than Little Joe regardless of homework or the need to study for tests.
If you plan to get stuck in the “Turn-Up” phase during your first semester at JSU, you might want to reconsider why you are here. College is not only about decisions but it is also about balance. You can still have fun but you also need to be an asset to your university.  An uninvolved party animal is the same as straight-A uninvolved student, because when you are not involved it disconnects you from the university.
I remember feeling lost and disconnected from what was happening around me on campus until I got involved my first semester of my junior year. If I could change anything about my matriculation at JSU, it would be to go back and get involved with my university when I first got here as a freshman. College is about networking and meeting people that you can learn from to help you towards your own successful life after JSU. You cannot get exposed to networking and meeting influential people by not being involved.
According to Alexander Astin’s Theory of Involvement, students learn more when they are involved in both the academic and social aspects of the collegiate experience. Consequently, failure to become involved with on-campus activities, organizations, extracurricular activities that promote student involvement to college life can ultimately affect an individual’s learning and living experience at research institutions.
Remember that those community service hours are not going to magically appear when it is time for you to graduate. The plaza and Little Joe will be there when you get out of class [Trust Me], and do not get so lost in the books that you forget to join a club. The magical formula for success at JSU is: Involvement + You = JSyoU.

The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.