MVP and my college career thus far

Society is constantly putting pressure on students to excel in the classroom--as early as elementary school. I was blessed enough to have parents who only wanted my best and were completely fine if that meant a "B." For others though, the classroom has been a place of competition since they could remember. I have to admit that sometimes I get caught up in the obsession of a perfect GPA myself--how could someone not when we are all surrounded by overachievers? However, college has taught me that there are things much more important than academic achievement. More specifically, my involvement with organizations like Millennium Village Project have confirmed that sometimes my work outside of the classroom is much more important than my work within the classroom.

I'm not at all implying that education should be handled lightly because I believe that in order to help anyone, you must first enable yourself to do so through knowledge. What I am saying is that helping to raise $1.5 million for Marenyo, Kenya provides me with much more satisfaction than remembering the names of 15 different colored rocks for my Geology class. If students want to make their college careers worth while, I would highly suggest getting involved in a group that goes beyond what you as an individual are trying to accomplish and instead focuses on what you can do for others when combining your talents with those of your peers.

When I look back at my time at Carolina I will be able to say that I made a difference in somone's life, even if only a small one, not because I'm some amazing person, but because I stopped thinking about my to-do list for a smaill portion of time and instead, spent it thinking about strangers' needs. I want my peers to be able to say the same.

--Blaire