Going into UC Davis, I pictured myself being involved on campus, surrounded by friends, and filled with school spirit, just like the way I was all throughout high school. However, my reality was the complete opposite when I got here. I spent most days in my dorm trying to adjust, trying to socialize and trying to pretend I wasn’t struggling as hard as I actually was. I had always had a hard time finding friends who truly understood me, but college intensified that feeling. I kept my guard up when meeting new people. Everything felt unfamiliar and for the first time in a long time, I felt isolated.Â
My biggest reality shock was how uninvolved I suddenly felt. In high school I was always a part of something, always contributing to the team, and always staying connected with my peers. I was a cheerleader, the social media commissioner for my school’s ASB, and a college peer counselor; I kept myself busy at all times. Coming to Davis and not having that left me feeling empty. During my second year those feelings weighed on me even more. I remember thinking, Am I even supposed to be here? Will I ever find my people? Is my dream job even worth being so far from home? I started having second thoughts about UCD, wondering if maybe I had made the wrong choice.
A small part of me insisted on staying patient. That same week, while I was doubting everything, I got a fortune cookie that read, “your dreams are never silly; depend on them to guide you.” It felt like a sign I needed, and it reminded me to stay grounded and trust the process. The wait felt discouraging, but one day, everything shifted in the smallest and simplest way possible: I found out that UC Davis had an ice hockey club team. I wasn’t even expecting to get involved. However, I noticed they could use some help with social media and something inside me said, Just send the email. It was impulsive, but I felt like maybe this was my chance to feel connected to something again. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? They say no and I move on with my day.
Sending that email was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I didn’t just join a club, I found a space where I felt welcomed, appreciated, and understood. The team didn’t treat me like an outsider, they treated me like I was part of the group from day one, and for the first time since coming to Davis, I felt my guard drop. Being their social media manager has become one of the biggest highlights of my college experience, and I’m just getting started. It aligns perfectly with my career goals of sports or fashion marketing. Being hands-on with real content, real players, and real game days has given me a type of fulfillment I didn’t realize I was missing.
But more than anything, it gave me a community. It gave me a reason to show up, a reason to feel excited again, and a reason to believe that I do belong here. It reminded me of something important: finding your niche in college doesn’t always happen on day one. It takes patience, courage, and one small step taken at the right time.Â