Kya Cook, NSHSS Collegiate Council
Date:
Friday, February 12, 2021
Always a Follower but Now a Leader
I never wanted to be in charge or to lead a group. I used to be a shy person that kept to myself, but over the years I have broken down that barrier slowly. I have seen myself grow and communicate with other students. In this leadership position I started in college, I went from being the follower to becoming a leader.
The push for Success
If anyone plans to attend Holy Names University as a Freshmen, you are given a peer mentor who acts as your guide. They help you with questions you may have and make sure that you have all the information you need to get through your Freshman year. My peer mentor was really nice and such a big help for me getting through my Freshmen year. He was the one who inspired me to apply for the position of mentor for next year.
I also thought about giving something new a try. After applying, I knew that this was going to be the best decision.
Putting it All Together
Before I applied, I had to go through training. The process was a semester long. I met other students who wanted to have leadership positions at the school. The course was made up of scenarios that we might face as leaders.
About NSHSS
Since 2002, NSHSS has supported young academics on their journey to college and beyond as they prepare to become the leaders of tomorrow. The mission behind NSHSS is to recognize academic excellence and honor high-achieving students, providing them with the resources and network to excel in college, career and community. In doing so, NSHSS connects members with global events, scholarship opportunities, college fairs, internships, career and leadership programs, partner discounts, and more. Discover what makes NSHSS worth it to student members and how you can get involved.
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My professors, soon to be my bosses, gave my class and I lectures on what it means to be a leader. My key takeaways from this were honesty, compassion, and problem solving. If we could answer a question a freshman had, we could send an email to our bosses for extra help.
Leader in Action
After completing my training, I began working with my freshmen for the first semester of my sophomore year. I was nervous at first, but I realized I had nothing to worry about. The key to getting comfortable with people is to play some icebreaker games and ask them about themselves. The games help break down the awkwardness and shyness between you and your group.
I always kept my group informed of what they needed to do for their class. I also let them know if there were any game nights on zoom. Being a freshman at college can be challenging and stressful and what better to relieve stress is by playing a game. Whenever my team has questions, I am always an email or text away. I try to provide them with as much advice and tips as I can to help their first year at college transition smoothly.
Starting Anew
My story at HNU began with me doing something new. Becoming a leader wasn’t as stressful as I thought it would be. There were some hoops I had to jump through, but I was able to manage. I just needed confidences.
I enjoyed spending time with my freshmen. They truly made me proud to be a leader. I hope in my Junior year I am able to relive this wonderful experience.
Below are pictures of myself, my mentees, and my mentors during our leadership and college advice meetups.
About NSHSS
Since 2002, NSHSS has supported young academics on their journey to college and beyond as they prepare to become the leaders of tomorrow. The mission behind NSHSS is to recognize academic excellence and honor high-achieving students, providing them with the resources and network to excel in college, career, and community. In doing so, NSHSS connects members with global events, scholarships, college fairs, internships, career and leadership programs, partner discounts, and more. Discover what makes NSHSS worth it to student members and how you can get involved.
Follow us on Social Media