In the least dramatic way possible, I have dreaded writing this column for as long as I have known it existed. I have found comfort in writing game coverage and athlete features and avoided columns at all costs. However, I’ll put my own feelings aside and try to get one point across: Take the leap.

I started college as a naive 18-year-old who just left home and thought I wanted to be a school guidance counselor. I did what I thought I was supposed to do: I went to college. Six years later, and a few breaks in between, I am graduating with a degree in PR and Advertising and am enrolled in the Masters of Professional Communication program at Weber State University.

Finishing up my freshman year of college I was depressed, hated my sociology classes and didn’t even know if college was the move for me. After a painful year and a half of classes, I decided to listen to myself for the first time and take a break. This was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

I found myself making friends — like, actual good friends — and one thing led to another, and I submitted an application for a sports reporter position at The Signpost. I had a few connections at the time and figured it wouldn’t hurt to surround myself with people I liked for my first semester back.

I had never heard of The Signpost, nor did I ever think that journalism would make its way into my life. The only thing that gave me a sliver of confidence was my love of sports.

Taking that break and then applying for a position snowballed into what is allowing me to walk across the stage at graduation. No matter the size of the school you go to or how invested your advisor is in your success, the support you receive from the students and faculty that are involved in the same organizations as you is unmatched.

Being able to surround myself with fellow communication majors has given me some of my closest friends in the classroom and out in the real world. I found it comforting to know that in any class I took for my degree, I would almost always see a familiar face from the paper. It gave me a community and I didn’t even realize it.

It led me to opportunities to write for other news organizations as well as my current internship.

This isn’t a sign to join The Signpost; this is your sign to take the leap and try something new while in college. The opportunity to move up in The Signpost has helped me pay for my education and made a degree seem possible, it gave me friends, and it gave me the confidence to believe in myself.