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| Natalie Smith ('16) |
Class of 2016
Now that my four years have come to an end, and thus, I’ve
become very wise and experienced, I thought I would make a handy list of the
things I’ve learned during my time as a McConnell Scholar. Here’s my advice for
future scholars:
- Etiquette is key. It’s easy to shrug off the importance of etiquette, but people pay attention to behavior. Polite or impolite actions subconsciously play a role in the way that you are perceived. Always be courteous.
- Kentucky is worth exploring. Our annual retreats at different Kentucky state parks are among my favorite memories. You can and should travel internationally, but there’s so much worth exploring in your home state, as well. Our retreats always made me feel more connected to Kentucky and more invested in local history.
- Become the best version of whatever you want to be. It doesn’t matter whether you want to be a doctor or a musician or a lawyer—the most important thing you can do is to become the best possible version of whatever it is you want to be. Focus on how you can improve yourself rather than comparing your goals to others’.
- It’s always better to try, despite the odds. If there’s a scholarship or internship that you think you would have no chance of getting, it’s better to apply and not get it than to never apply. If not, you’ll always wonder what might have happened if you had. You may even surprise yourself and gain an experience beyond your expectations. At the very least, you’ll learn how to handle failure gracefully (see lesson #1).
- Make friends with people who think differently from you. The people in the McConnell Center are the best aspect of it. You’ll meet people with different views who challenge you and make you think more deeply. (Also, after a month in China together, it’s hard not to bond and become close friends.)
- Read as much as you can. I know I’m among those who always say, “I don’t have time to read for fun,” or “I’ll read it later.” Especially as an English major, it seemed like I was always doing required reading and never reading recreationally. The truth is that life is always going to be “too busy” to read what you want, so don’t make excuses! If it’s important to you, you should make time for it. In my opinion, you’ll never regret time you spent reading.
- Volunteering is valuable. I volunteered in grade school and high school, but it wasn’t until college, when I began volunteering in multiple venues, that I really appreciated how beneficial it is. Not only does it instill a sense of civic responsibility, but it’s also a way to discover the needs of your community and cater to them.
- Seize as many extra opportunities as you can. From studying abroad or participating in moot court, the program offers far more than lectures and seminars (though those are valuable in and of themselves). If you invest yourself in extra opportunities, they’re great resume builders and experiences you may only be offered through the McConnell Center.
- You can discover new interests. You may think that you’re only interested in constitutional history and that a seminar on Kurt Vonnegut would bore you, but you could very well be wrong. Be willing to go to a seminar outside of your usual area of interest. You may not only learn something new but also gain a newfound interest in an area you didn’t expect.
- Always send thank you notes. If anyone has ever done anything for you, you should send a thank you note. It’s tactful, kind, and noticeable. Express gratitude to those who have helped you, and remember that everything you’ve accomplished, you haven’t done alone.
As I prepare to graduate in the next couple of weeks, these
are just a few of the lessons I’ll carry with me. To the incoming class: enjoy
your next four years as McConnell Scholars!