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As we enter adulthood, life pushes and pulls us in different directions. We are challenged to establish who we are, what we identify as, or simply where we belong. That said, finding a community that truly embraces us can be difficult and frustrating. Putting ourselves out there can be unsettling, especially when there are always demands on our time. As a current sophomore at Dominican, I understand how daunting it can be to branch out and find one's place on campus. I am all too familiar with how obligations such as commuting, working, and even studying can interfere with prioritizing yourself.

With everything going on in the world, as well as in our personal lives, it is easy to forget being part of a community can be essential for our social, academic, and professional lives. Here at Dominican, there are many activities, events, clubs, and programs that aim to enable students from all types of backgrounds to form unique communities. The effort it takes to find your niche may seem daunting, but it requires only a little movement on your part as a student and person. Your reasons for engagement don’t even have to be fully academic; they can incorporate your interests, hobbies, or even side hustles! Trust me, Dominican will most likely have something to fit your needs. Even if they don’t – yet – you have the power and flexibility to fulfill your need and even bring others alongside who may potentially share your interests.

I also want to express that there is no judgement in not knowing where to start when it comes to becoming a more active member of a community. At times we all face some sort of pressure, or perhaps guilt, in not being aware of all we have to offer in giving back to a community. Perhaps you can gain a little confidence by recognizing there is someone in the same boat as you are. Here is something else to keep in mind if you are feeling alone in your movement to engage with others: you can consider inviting someone you are comfortable with to help you find something suitable for you. Sometimes it takes time to find your voice and power – and that's okay – but that is no excuse to withhold yourself from expanding your horizons or from finding your safe place.

By no means am I telling anyone that their road to self-discovery and involvement will be an easy one. I know it is not. Even after being at Dominican for nearly two years, I sometimes still feel I have yet to truly leave my mark. However, I have found people ready to encourage me every day, as well as rewarding ways to build community on campus and beyond these walls.

So even if you find yourself roaming these halls feeling a little lonely, awkward, or shy, just know you are not alone. Whether you become part of a social group like a club or engage in civic opportunities, you will – eventually – find your place here.

Recent Posts

Finding a Sense of Belonging

This post was authored by undergraduate student Jazlyn Cordero for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog.As we enter adulthood, life pushes and pulls us in different directions. We are challenged to establish who we are, what we identify as, or simply where we belong. That said, finding a community that truly embraces us can be difficult and frustrating. Putting ourselves out there can be unsettling, especially when there are always demands on our time. As a current sophomore at Dominican, I understand how daunting it can be to branch out and find one's place on campus. I am all too familiar with how obligations such as commuting, working, and even studying can interfere with prioritizing yourself. With everything going on in the world, as well as in our personal lives, it is easy to forget being part of a community can be essential for our social, academic, and professional lives. Here at Dominican, there are many activities, events, clubs, and programs that aim to enable students from all types of backgrounds to form unique communities. The effort it takes to find your niche may seem daunting, but it requires only a little movement on your part as a student and person. Your reasons for engagement don’t even have to be fully academic; they can incorporate your interests, hobbies, or even side hustles! Trust me, Dominican will most likely have something to fit your needs. Even if they don’t – yet – you have the power and flexibility to fulfill your need and even bring others alongside who may potentially share your interests.I also want to express that there is no judgement in not knowing where to start when it comes to becoming a more active member of a community. At times we all face some sort of pressure, or perhaps guilt, in not being aware of all we have to offer in giving back to a community. Perhaps you can gain a little confidence by recognizing there is someone in the same boat as you are. Here is something else to keep in mind if you are feeling alone in your movement to engage with others: you can consider inviting someone you are comfortable with to help you find something suitable for you. Sometimes it takes time to find your voice and power – and that's okay – but that is no excuse to withhold yourself from expanding your horizons or from finding your safe place. By no means am I telling anyone that their road to self-discovery and involvement will be an easy one. I know it is not. Even after being at Dominican for nearly two years, I sometimes still feel I have yet to truly leave my mark. However, I have found people ready to encourage me every day, as well as rewarding ways to build community on campus and beyond these walls. So even if you find yourself roaming these halls feeling a little lonely, awkward, or shy, just know you are not alone. Whether you become part of a social group like a club or engage in civic opportunities, you will – eventually – find your place here....

A "Thank You" to the Chapel and Noonan Reading Room

This post was authored by undergraduate student Catherine Luquetta for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog.🎵 Going to the chapel and we’re … gonna get married. 🎵 Actually, we’re going there to do homework! As a commuting student here at Dominican, I am not always able to stay at home to get effective work done and have had to find other spaces to be productive. When I need a place to do classwork and enjoy the great things that comes with college late at night, Rosary Chapel and Noonan Reading Room have been the best spots to work. On the rough weeks leading up to finals, the place to find me while I study and do my notes is the Reading Room. I am grateful it is always so open and welcoming. Not only is the area pretty to admire, but it is quiet enough to not be distracted from people conversing. Although many people prefer to study at the library here at Dominican University, I prefer Noonan since it is open 24 hours and has an enjoyable ambiance. The atmosphere of Noonan Reading Room is so comforting. The coziness of the chairs makes me feel like I am at my grandparents' house. This unique space has the feeling of acceptance since anyone can go there to study, admire the architecture, or just sit there quietly. In the times I must look up from my computer while working, I find myself gazing at the stained-glass windows. When you are in Noonan or the Chapel during the daytime, there are perfect moments where you can catch sunbeams reflecting through the stained-glass windows onto the ground. Having a place to look at nice things when I am taking an eye break from my computer allows me to recoup my concentration. This also helps me when I am in need of inspiration to create new ideas.A laptop ready for homework in the Noonan Reading Room. Photo by the author.In the library, depending on the location, the options are limited for scenic seating. When you look up from your computer screen, you are most likely going to see shelf after shelf of books. If you are lucky enough to get one of the corner spaces in the library, you can catch a view of the outside of campus. However, this is unreliable. Depending on the time you find that seat, it may be dark outside which limits the view. Last fall semester, right before finals rolled around, I had not found a place to sit where I could concentrate on my work without having to worry what time the library closed or if my seat was appealing to the eye. The library was a good place to work, but I had to worry if I was going to finish my work before they closed. Then I would have to pack up all my stuff up and move to another location, or for that matter, maybe head home. Getting a late-night cram session at the library means getting it done by 11pm Sunday through Thursday. At Noonan, I was able to stay until 3am completing the notes I needed for upcoming exams. There was no stressing about the time I had to move which would inevitably cause me to lose concentration. Having brought an assignment from a blank page on my computer to over a page of notes and ideas really helped me realize that I value certain spaces on campus. Book cover of Making Meaning, edited by Jenny I. Small. Title can be found at Rebecca Crown Library.The only drawbacks I see are the lack of accessible outlets without an extension cord, table lamps that are decoration only, and an awkward table to chair ratio. Other than these things, Noonan Reading Room is perfect for enjoying a solo study session. It also works well for group studying with tables comfortably seating up to six people and additional space for chairs besides. Cover photo was taken from https://www.dom.edu/alumni/faith-spirituality/masses...

Making an Impact: Volunteering for University Ministry's Come to the Table

This post was written by undergraduate student Raziel Salamanca for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog. In-post pictures were added by the editor.There is something special about volunteering for a local community. Many times, we do not stop to think about how volunteering can leave an impact on our own communities and deepen our understanding of civic responsibility and compassion, as well as form significant social connections. It is nice to take step back from our day-to-day schedules and find ways we can contribute to our own communities with small or big actions. In late January, I had the opportunity to volunteer for DU Ministry's monthly Come to The Table. This was a new and wonderful experience that allowed me to not only build connections with students and members of the community but also assist the local community at the Quinn Center (Maywood, IL) that rely on these food distributions for their families. Dominican students serving at a University Ministry event.Taken from: Faith Justice | Dominican UniversityI was intrigued by the flyer of the service opportunity, and I scanned the QR code to log into EngageDU to view the details and RSVP. When I decided to volunteer for Come to the Table, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had never done a service opportunity like this before. The description noted that we would have to pack food bags and distribute them at the Quinn Center. I realized afterwards that volunteering for this service was much more than that. It was a unique experience to connect me to the heart of the community. One week later, the day came for Come to the Table. The first time I walked into University Ministry, I was struck by the energy of the room as it was a calm and friendly environment. The center felt like a cozy little area. There were a couple of students in the center when I walked in. The students there greeted me and asked me if I was volunteering. After I told them I was, they welcomed me to sit at the couch or chairs near the tables until University Ministry staff finished their meeting. After a few minutes, two members of University Ministry, Rachel and Kayla, entered with boxes of food we were going to pack to distribute at the Quinn Center. We needed to clean off the table and placed a tablecloth over before packing 100 food bags to distribute. The eight of us had an hour to make 100 sandwiches and place fruit and treats into each of the paper bags. We decided to split up the work so that each person had a task to do. I could see that everyone was focused on their task as we passed the food bags down to for the next person. Book cover of Community in Higher Education (2015). Title can be accessed at Crown Library.While we were packing, Rachel started an ice breaker to give us the opportunity to know each another. It was interesting to see students from different majors represented and to get to know each other a bit. Kayla told us more about what this service opportunity is and its origin. I found it incredible that this service started at DU for around 20 years. DU Ministry partners with the Quinn Center to aid local families that rely on these resources. After half of an hour, the table was filled with food bags ready to be placed and stacked into the cart and plastic bins. University Ministry provided us the transportation to head to the Quinn Center, located within the St. Eulalia parish, and back to the University. When we got there, a group of individuals were already placing their food bags on the tables. We placed our food bags in sets of four with the rest of the other food bags. Flyer for University Ministry's Bilingual Mass and Ash Distribution at Rosary Chapel.The people at the Quinn Center were very welcoming and guided us through their process. They explained that some of us would go up to the people in their cars and asked them for a number of family members so we could make sure each person received a food bag. Two other students and I were in charge of sorting the bags into another plastic bag and adding either a cereal box or a bag of bread. Other students went up to the cars to distribute the food bags. Seeing the gratitude of the people driving by with their food was indescribable. Next, I helped sort the food pantry of the Quinn Center with two other students. I enjoyed organizing the shelves, especially because it allowed me to form a bond with this community and students. The drive back from the Quinn Center made me realize that volunteering is such a rewarding experience that makes you grow as a person, get out of your comfort zone, and enact the civic responsibility we have to our own communities. I plan to assist the next Come to The Table service opportunity to become more involved and aid the local community of the Quinn Center. I know many of us have busy schedules and it can be difficult to volunteer. However, I believe if you can find time - even if it’s for one or a couple hours per month - you will find something wonderful in volunteering and forming amazing bonds with people. I encourage you to volunteer for the next Come to the Table service opportunity. This wonderful experience will amaze you at how assisting local communities can truly make a long-lasting impact. ...

The Writing Fellows ... A Forgotten Resource?

This post was written by undergraduate student Talissa Gonzalez for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog. Pictures were added by the editor.According to the student body, the Writing Fellows only exist for a couple weeks each semester – around midterms and finals. Other than that, the ASC (Academic Success Center) runs at its usual slow pace. It’s possible that many people don’t know we exist, and if they do, maybe they aren’t aware of all the services we provide. We are not spell-check, Grammarly, or citation machine. We are real human beings, sitting idly in the ASC until we are deemed useful. This is my second semester tutoring at Dominican, but I’ve been tutoring since high school and it’s not all that different. It's possible students want to avoid burdening someone else with their academic struggles, but the Fellows quite literally set time aside for students to do that. Although our skill and position allow for some authority over our tutee, our tutoring pedagogy invites us to approach our tutees as equals and to learn along with them. Fellows benefit from engaging with forms of writing that are foreign to them, just as students benefit from a listening ear and helpful hand. However, there’s been an apparent lack of such. Students at Dominican's Academic Success Center.Photo taken from Tutoring and Learning Resources | Dominican UniversityWriting exists in nearly every major, regardless of the degree pursued. Yet the vast majority of our tutees are freshmen from CRWS courses. Why don’t we encounter Philosophy majors who need help brainstorming their approach to a certain phenomenon? Or Communication majors who need a test audience for a presentation? Additionally, why don’t we encounter upperclassmen such as seniors who are spiraling about what to include in their portfolio? A large part of this falls on our faculty’s hands. Most of our appointments are generated from courses that incentivize a visit with a Fellow, whether it’s required for a grade or offered for extra credit. We are grateful for the handful of professors we regularly get students from, but there are plenty of others who could encourage it as well. Professors are here to teach what they specialize in, but they are also here to teach students to utilize all the resources available to them on campus. Although it can be initially uncomfortable, I love to work with students who bring work that forces me to critically think alongside them. It does me no good to stay within my comfort zone in writing. Not that the appointments are primarily for my benefit, but having a greater diversity in our tutees by working with a larger portion of the student body would be beneficial for the newcomers as well as the tutors. Allowing the Fellows to engage with coursework unfamiliar to them puts them at a more equal pedestal with tutees and allows them to prepare for similar situations in future appointments. We will continue to remain stagnant in trajectory and narrow in audience if our faculty does not aid us in the mission for greater involvement. Cover of e-Book The Inverted Classroom Model. This eBook can be found at Rebecca Crown Library.Beyond that, greater involvement isn’t exclusively beneficial to the students. While it may seem like I’m selfishly asking for more traffic in the ASC to feel like a better used resource, it’s more than that. Students we interact with are the same students submitting assignments, participating in class discussions, and most importantly (to some), rating instructor effectiveness – not just through the end-of-semester surveys, but by word of mouth. Professors, when students leave your class, can they honestly say that you did everything in your power to support them in their learning? Writing Fellows can obviously help them as a writer, but a bigger part of our job is empowering our peers with confidence and autonomy over their work. Within the 30 minutes I am given with a student, my main goal is not to inform and instruct, but to uplift. In addition to advocating for professors and their rubrics, I help students feel confident in their writing choices and rediscover the “umph” behind writing – a benefit beyond a good grade. The Writing Fellows have no way of hurting course curriculum but have many ways of helping if we are included. The authority dynamic doesn’t always make professors the easiest to approach with issues or concerns, so it’s important to establish another resource that can offer similar support. It’s imperative that faculty start incentivizing visits to the Writing Center by adding it into their syllabus, not only to make students aware of such resources, but to improve engagement with course material and better achieve course learning goals. Help us, by helping the students, help you. ...