After a few months of coming here, I began to think, where did the luster go? What happened to the connection that I had made? For a while, I figured it was just my own outlook. As time went by, I became involved with several organizations on campus, and made my close circle of best friends, and then a sea of friends and acquaintances. This made the small RPI community glow reappear. Whenever I walk anywhere, I can find at least one person to say hello to, to wave to, or to get a hug from on any given day. It’s this that allows me to stay motivated each day. It’s the laughter, the simple greetings, the holding doors open, the simple things that keep this campus as magical as I first saw it.

Support networks are essential for anyone. I believe this is especially important here at RPI. Support can mean a simple IM filled with smiley face or someone to advise you how to handle certain situations so that pressure doesn’t build up.

Let people know you care for them. No matter how well you can read people, it’s often hard to really know for sure what people are thinking. It can mean a world of difference if people know that they have someone to lean on.

I would just like to thank my own support network. This past week has been emotionally draining, and I would not have been able to make it without all the love, encouragement, and support as everyone showed.

I encourage everyone to lean on their support networks when they are stressed out or just aren’t feeling too happy. If no one comes to mind, it’s never too late to find a shoulder to lean on. Sometimes it’s difficult to trust people enough to let them see what’s really going on, but in the end it helps. Talking through issues can often allow you to clear your mind so you can find your own solution. It also helps because other people may be able to see a different side of a situation, or may have other solutions that you may not be able to think of.