It’s no secret that in this day and age we’ve glorified “hustle culture.” We are always “doing, never done,” per the famous Aggie slogan. Involved students are not only juggling courses; they are also pro-active on their campus. A rewarding and often praised experience that also comes at a cost. Being an involved student takes some sacrifices and a mental toll we sometimes overlook. 

As a student-athlete, Campus Recreation Center marketing lead, freelance creative, and active member in different orgs on campus, my days often get blurred together. I’ve written captions for the CRC Social Media page in the back of a bus after a tennis match. I’ve sprinted across campus from practice straight to a meeting where I’m expected to be articulate and energetic. 

Edited photos or flyers in my accounting class — the same class I eventually dropped (sigh). And I’ve lost count of how many sleepless nights I’ve procrastinated doing homework by doing work. Not to mention balancing a social life, being an older sister, and showing up for the people in my life. 

And while involvement can be incredibly fulfilling, it also demands a level of balance that’s difficult to maintain. Burnout is real, and sometimes it gets the best of us. 

That balance is something many students are learning to navigate. 

Micah Holmes, a third-year marketing major, described it as a mental tug-of-war.

 “Being an involved student feels like a mental game of tug-of-war. Every part of your life becomes a different rope… schoolwork, relationships, fitness, and mental health, spending time with yourself. You’re being pulled in different directions constantly”.  

The emotional weight of being involved is often challenging as well. Christian Woods Fair who is an active event host and familiar face on campus (known as Deuce) added on to this sentiment.

“One of the biggest mental challenges is giving yourself grace. You’re not perfect, and you’re going to face challenges, but it’s about figuring out how to get through them.”

The cost of being involved can also affect the decisions we make and even the people around us, something Micah Holmes also touched on. 

“Sometimes being involved means learning how to say no. The hardest part is balancing opportunity with your own health. Being involved also comes with a certain visibility. You get to know a lot of people… On the days you’re not okay, everyone can tell, and I never want people to think my off days have anything to do with them. That part is tough.” 

Santana Baker, a senior biology pre-med student, and captain of the cheer team touched on the personal challenges of being involved. “Some challenges I face for starters would be forgetting to make sure that I take time for myself. I tend to lose some sleep due to making sure everything with SAAC is going well or if anyone on my team needs anything.” 

Finding the balance between taking care of yourself while also making sure that you fulfill your roles to the fullest can be a struggle. However, the most rewarding part is being able to see the fruition of your involvement through community. For Deuce the reward is in the people. “I’m a very people person. I love people. I think, just getting to meet everybody, seeing my network grow day by day and making new friends.”

Involvement will always come with its challenges, but it also teaches us to show up for others and ourselves. It shapes our reality and pushes us to grow and be a part of something bigger than ourselves. And in the process, it reveals the kind of community we’re part of. With that being said, being involved has shaped my experience at A&T in ways I’ll always be grateful for.