Rachel Linton: 30 Seconds of Courage

Life on the Hill: Bison Blog

College is defined as an educational institution or establishment, but oh is it so much more than that. It is far greater than the buildings itself. College is the strangers that fill the campus that become friends, then soon become family. College is a time to grow, to learn, and to be spontaneous.

Never in your life will it be more normal and acceptable three hours prior to buy concert tickets to Justin Bieber and drive two hours to Tulsa on a school night. Totally worth it by the way – even though our seats were last row and behind the stage. These spontaneous adventures are some of the moments that built my experience at OBU. These adventures were not all as elaborate as this, some were just going to Braum’s at night to celebrate the end of a long day.

The key is to be willing and saying yes. Obviously there is a balance. You can’t go to a Justin Bieber concert every night, because that’s just exhausting. However, leaving your door open when the homework load is light allows for those little adventures to slip in. Never would I have thought I would have done the things I did while at OBU. Being a somewhat quiet, dorky student, I never thought I would acquire leadership positions across campus and travel the world with fellow students. But it is because I took a leap. I had 30 seconds of courage and said yes. 30 seconds of courage, that’s all it takes. When someone new ask you to go to lunch, 30 seconds of courage to say yes is all you need. Who knows, that person may turn out to be one of your best friends and roommate!

You learn so many things when you live in the moment. Who knew you could fit 30 girls in a sophomore dorm room, or that I could rock short hair, or that BJ’s pizookies taste so much better at midnight. It’s these times that deepened friendships, showed me how to be flexible, and made me thankful for the moment. So even if you’re not athletic, start an intramural sports team. Even if you’re not sure about horses, go try Cargo Ranch. Even if you don’t have a beat, learn how to play the piano. There is no harm in trying. You never know, you could find your new favorite hobby or maybe something you should never try again. But hey you tried, and now you know! There are too many times in life that we can ask “What if?” Don’t let college be that time.

You have the power to make the OBU experience.

Be bold. Be Spontaneous. You never know where it will get you.

– Rachel Linton, Admissions Counselor