Thoughts on Being AdvenTUrous
- in the classes and faculty you take
- positions you apply for
- lectures you attend
- clubs you join
- goals you set
- foods, museums, festivals, and parades you try
"It's so important to be advenTUrous at Tulane, with an emphasis on taking risks. Only the Audacious go to Tulane and in order to succeed here, you need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. It is not an easy thing to do, but the sooner you get used to it, the better your undergraduate career will be. Don’t be afraid to try new things whether that means academically or socially. Try classes that interest you or go out with that person you have been trying to get closer with. Don’t be complacent and come outside your comfort zone.
Even try things that you think you won’t like. It never hurts to try it. Then after, if you don’t like it, you will know for sure that you do not like that activity! For me, I thought I would never like Ultimate Frisbee, but when a friend of mine invited me to a practice, I fell in love with the sport. I would have never unlocked this passion of mine if I didn’t take a risk and try a sport I have never played before. It is important to take risks because it not only helps you realize some of your passions, but it also helps you grow as an individual. Oftentimes, you won’t always thrive at whatever you do, but you will learn something every time. Taking risks will help you persevere through hardships and grow not only as a student, but also an individual.
Something that helps me is looking at the grand scheme of things. Of course, academics come first, but if someone wants to hang out in advance, I work ahead on assignments, plan out my schedule so I can enjoy the moment and be advenTUrous. I do not like missing out on fun and missed opportunities to make memories; that's why I do my work now, so I can have fun later. A common saying for Tulane students is “work hard, play hard,” because a lot of students are academically driven individuals who want to have an amazing undergraduate career. They want to have fun and be advenTUrous, while also taking calculated risks. "
Andrew, First-Year Five 2021
