Obligatory xxx days until graduation!
I have been on campus for quite some time, and I’ve been involved in a variety of student organizations.
From my experiences across all of these organizations, I’ve noticed a few trends that I’ll make public here. I’ve noticed that some people mature and grow into themselves differently. Some people take more time to learn a skill, others pick things up naturally. Sometimes a person may need a little extra help to feel comfortable with developing themselves — others, no help at all. Every single person is utterly unique, but I feel that difference in ease of adaptability, which closely correlates to maturity, really separates people at Stevens by how likely they are to take on e-board status for a club.
Take for instance The Stute (and this is in no way shape or form an attack on anyone in The Stute, I hardly know the staff the way I used to!). If you show up to meetings, promise you’ll get assignments done, and then get those assignments done, once every or every other week, you’re in a good standing to do more, and more likely to step up as a member of the e-board. But if you don’t do as much, you’re not nearly as likely to get any positions, should you apply for them.
I find that this is a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy. If you work, you’re more likely to work more, which will allow you a position that allows you to work even more. And conversely, the less you work, the less work you’ll have to do.
But going back to what I was mentioning earlier, there are certain traits which manifest themselves when applying yourself to work: showing up on time, making your voice heard, being hygienic, being friendly/agreeable even if you don’t agree, not being a jerk to everyone, and not being an obnoxious little troll. Little things like these really help push your case along for being a responsible person. And here at Stevens, there is a subtle gravitation towards people of maturity.
Perhaps I am too conceited that I’d use myself as an example, but I am probably one of the more mature people on campus. People tend to assign me tasks, ask me for help, and pester me for advice on tons of topics. I attribute this to my efficacy in completing assignments, and my overall problem-solving mindset. But I got this from being available and flexible and not being a jerk to people.
So, what sorts of traits help make you a better person, or maybe just a better RSO member? I’ve made a short silly list. But take note, these tips are not just for being a part of an e-board, they are tips for any organization, professional and recreational.
- Show up on time.
- This not as difficult as it sounds. Showing up a little earlier allows you to be seen before a meeting and lets you talk to people before everyone gets busy. It can be both fun and advantageous for you, and it shows that you are a very organized person — or very bored.
- Don’t be obnoxious.
- A little difficult to characterize, but basically be conscious of what you’re saying before you say it, and be cautious of how many times you’ve spoken in the past minute. Not every conversation needs to have you speak in it. Just take it easy and quip in when you are sure you can help flow the conversation along.
- Speak up.
- I know I just told you to shut up, but don’t stay silent the whole time either. If you’re sitting there not sure what to do, try to spark up a conversation. It doesn’t have to be anything vitally important, but just to connect to someone.
- Fulfill your promises.
- If you said you’d take care of it, make sure that you do. No one likes a quitter or someone apt to bail, and sticking with it to the end looks really good for you later. I get it, it may be really hard to come up with that column every week, but you said you would, so you better.
- Take yourself seriously.
- Lying and blowing stuff out of proportions can be fun and all, but sometimes it leads into point two. Tone it down a notch and know how to get serious when you need to. The easiest way to do this is to mean what you say and humble yourself down a bit.
- Have fun.
- Just because you’re taking yourself seriously doesn’t mean you have to be “No-Fun Joe.” Laugh a little, slack off a little, but just make sure you let people know you’re going to Biergarten before you get there. Being friendly and cordial will really help ease tensions with your fellow RSO members and make your day a hell of a lot better.
But really, at the end of the day, these are just guidelines, once you feel comfortable with yourself, you can make your own and you’ll be fine. Not everyone starts off as e-board material, but anyone can be a part of one if they try hard enough.
