Editor's note: All opinions, columns and letters reflect the views of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the IDS or its staffers.
There are few places in the world where you can attend class in the morning, visit a museum with your friends at noon to see Picassos and a 4,000-year-old Egyptian mummy, and take your girlfriend to the premiere of “The Nutcracker” at one of the nation’s prominent musical venues by night. This is Indiana University.
Indiana University offers the quintessential big university experience — strong academics, a thriving football program and world-class artistic talent.
Most people have heard the phrase, “College is meant to be hard.” You have to keep up with fast-paced classes, maintain your health, nurture your social life and, on top of that, avoid disappointing your family. But I see it differently; college is meant to push you out of your comfort zone, and that is what truly makes it challenging.
IU has a diverse student body, but one thing that unites everyone at this school, nestled in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, is one thing — learning.
College is valuable not only for the degree it grants but also because it provides a unique opportunity to truly discover who you are. People step out of their comfort zones in many ways, taking unusual classes, partying or making friends from different “cliques.” These experiences offer valuable perspectives, but wouldn’t you agree that broadening your cultural horizons is one of the most meaningful ways to find yourself?
Indiana University is a cultural powerhouse, home to immensely talented filmmakers, poets and musicians.
Step out of your comfort zone and visit the Musical Arts Center to hear our world-class orchestra’s breathtaking performances.
Step out again and attend Slam Night, hosted by IU student Luke Foster, to experience the power of poetry.
Or you can immerse yourself in the Montage Film Festival, which showcases student-produced films that tell stories made by fellow IU students.
IU offers cultural opportunities at every corner. Take advantage of the pianos located across campus and try them at least once. Go with your friends to IU Late Nite events. The whole point is to step out of your comfort zone and experience different things that will make you a different person.
College life is busy; we all have a limited amount of time outside of class to do the things we love. But why not unite and commit some of our time to support our campus' creative and artistic events?
This fall we saw a record-breaking number of fans supporting our football team, contributing to the best performance in the football program’s history. This enthusiasm prompted the administration to commit additional funding to the program, a testament to the power of student unity.
Whether you prefer staying in on Fridays or socializing, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you are in your college career—make the effort to step out of your comfort zone. Learn about new things, discover what you enjoy, meet new people and find out who you truly are.
Attend a slam night, support the student film festival, or cheer for your classmates at a concert. Every small effort you make helps strengthen IU’s student community.
Take action today — explore, discover and grow. Attend a poetry night, go to a concert, support campus publications, and participate as much as you can. Your involvement makes a difference.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to remove a paragraph without proper attribution. It also incorrectly stated the frequency of the IDS' print edition last semester.
Eduardo Merecci Machado (he/him) is a sophomore studying neuroscience.
