The start of a new spring semester always feels a little strange to me. While it’s the halfway point of the academic year and I’m still feeling burnt out from last semester, I also feel excited. Maybe it’s because I’m eager to get back to start classes or attempt another New Year’s resolution. Regardless, I always try to take each new semester as an opportunity to do something new, and I’ve learned more and more to try something I’ve already written off.

I know it sounds somewhat obvious on paper; of course you should try things out of your comfort zone. But it’s not just about what’s in and out of your comfort zone. It’s about what you’ve already decided isn’t for you.

Something I wrote off when I first got to NC State was anything related to fraternities and partying. I figured that I wouldn’t fit in with that crowd, so I made no attempt to engage with it. Had it not been for the people around me, I wouldn’t have learned that Greek life and fraternities in general are not always the same thing and that I might actually want the experience of rushing. 

Because I had already put a degree of separation between myself and fraternities, I wouldn’t have learned about community service or academic frats on my own. Frankly, I’m embarrassed that I had limited myself that way and dismissed some groups.

All this to say, while a sense of comfort is great to have, it’s also good to disrupt. Going to club fairs or interest meetings during Winter Welcome Week is a great opportunity to see clubs and groups that you might not be immediately interested in.

It’s almost like doing chores. Most people aren’t excited about doing laundry or dishes, but after they’re done you feel better. Doing something that you’ve already written off might feel anxiety-inducing or maybe even frustrating, especially if you’re stubborn like me, but the experience usually pays off. 

And oftentimes, the people behind that club, organization, event, class or whatever else just want people to try their group out. As someone who is a club chair and has done work to encourage prospective members to join, it always feels great when someone is at least a little interested. Not every person joins the email list, but getting to know people is half the excitement of student organizations.

It’s for that same reason that so many clubs and organizations on campus host open club meetings and events for everyone: They want to take as many interested people as they can, even if most of them are just trying things out. Most of the time, they want everyone, even the people who feel like they don’t fit in at all, to feel included. Student Media is hosting their own open house Jan. 9 from 4-6 p.m. in the Witherspoon Student Center.

Worst case scenario, things don’t work out and you quit. Maybe there’s too much of a time commitment or you aren’t as invested as others. Either way, an attempt was made and you can move on to something else. If nothing else, you learned about a group on campus and now have at least some experience you can look back on.

At the halfway point of my college experience, I wish I had been less dismissive and pushed myself to try more new things. Thankfully, it’s never too late.