If you build it, they will come

One year ago I was not in the position I am now, and I am grateful for that.

I came into NAU as a hopeful freshman in the fall of 2021, excited for all the opportunities and experiences that lie within the college experience. That was the perfect time to come in because classes had gone back on campus and everything was starting to go back to normal.

I entered my first sports media class full of excitement, but it was drowned out by people who hadn’t seen each other in years. I became a recluse, as I normally do in those types of situations.

Everyone was in sync from the start, and I sat in the back of the class eager to get into writing for the paper.

That meant I had to talk to people… and sports writing required that I interview “high-profile” athletes and coaches. 

It was that exact moment in class when I knew I needed to fix something in myself that would take me out of the recluse state I was stuck in.

Right off the bat, a “screw it” attitude was adopted and tough situations quickly became much easier to muster. All it took was a change in my attitude and confidence flowed in.

With my confidence came many opportunities, like meeting the amazing people in the sports media program and going to cover some exhilarating events.

Rome was not built in a day and there is still plenty to do to become more confident, but my apathy to go to events that I was scared to do has diminished significantly.

I have built bridges with people all because I have built self-confidence. 

Confidence is the key to success. What you choose to do with it is up to you, but the admiration and poise you exude in life will take you places you may have never imagined.