Learning to Take Risks

Sep 02, 2010

conv Incoming students received a piece of advice as they started the academic year: Look beyond failure.

"Expect the unexpected and take risks," said Erik George '11, president of the Student Government Association. "Try new experiences."

George was one of the speakers who addressed students, faculty and staff during opening Convocation Sept. 2, the start of the academic year. After Convocation, incoming students participated in the annual tradition of tossing their beanies on Olin Hill.

When George started at Concordia, he was determined to become a music teacher, he told the Convocation crowd. He now plans to study urban planning in graduate school. It is just one example that shows how things don't always go as planned, he said.

"Plans change. People grow," he said. And sometimes people fail.

Gorge said he has experienced disappointments at Concordia. He wasn't selected for the Family Weekend Showcase. He wasn't chosen as a member of the Orientation Committee and has had papers and proposals rejected.

"Failure is not fatal," he said.

Instead, falling short of one's dreams makes one try new things and look for other options.

"If I had been chosen for the Orientation Committee, I wouldn't be standing in front of you now as the student body president … Failure is peculiar like that" he said.

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