After a long cold winter, spring reminds us that a new semester has started. By now a quarter of the 2020 has passed. Last year, I experienced many new beginnings, but the most important was my joining a proud group of others at Sookmyung. During College Day for the Department of Economics & Business Administration, the first school event I attended as a Sookmyungian after being accepted to Sookmyung, I learned about various aspects of school such as class registration from upper year classmates. At College Day I knew nothing, not even the difference between Core Electives and Required Electives. Moreover, the amount of information on that day was overwhelming like details on leadership groups and clubs. To be honest, College Day left me fearing university more than being excited for it. The new information and my new circumstances frightened me, so when March finally arrived and the first semester of my university life began, I suffered greatly from anxiety. I couldn't get used to anything. I had no friends. I had no family nearby. One time, when I got lost looking for Gemma Hall, I wanted to pack it all in and call it quit. However, a small voice in my head said, “It’s all just because I’m a newcomer. I’ll feel better once I get used to the routine and life here.” Within a month, the Core Electives and the Required Electives no longer hounded me and the way to Gemma Hall became all too familiar. In addition, campus life such as work with The Sookmyung Times and living at Sookmyung Residence Hall started to become second nature. Just like that little voice had once said, I am doing so well.
For all of you who feel the start of something as unfamiliar and awkward, I wish to say, “Do not avoid fear.” Suffering through my fear last year was energy-consuming, but once I faced that fear, I got used to all things and they became familiar. Time will bring familiarity. This year I begin with a new ‘start’ as Editor-in-Chief of The Sookmyung Times. It’s much more demanding than working as a reporter and my responsibility has doubled. Nevertheless, I do not fear this start as I did the start of university life on College Day. I know that the awkwardness will soon disappear, and I am confident I’ll succeed well. To anyone fearing the ‘start’ of something, remember “Things begin once we start!”
저작권자 © 숙명타임즈 무단전재 및 재배포 금지
