Tyler Rauch's Blog

The Experience

     Over the past few weeks of my senior year (still sounds crazy!) I have really started to see what this Queens experience is all about. Sure, you can write "Thrive." and statements about this university being more than just a degree on all the publications, but it always seemed to be just that. A publication. Granted, there are few people who love Queens more than I do and I am by no means saying that I have not had a great experience, however, it wasn't until the last few weeks that my idea of what I was really going to take from Queens really became solidified.

     I suppose it's like a good recipe. Seeing as I can't cook, I'm going to give it my best shot. One part academics, two parts international experience, a stick of internship and a whole lot of growing up. If you sprinkle some solid relationships and unrelenting support from the parents, faculty, staff and our alum you get the Queens experience.

     Through my involvement and interaction with the student body over the past few years, I have found out more about myself and the direction I'd like my life to go than ever before. The time I spend helping others can begin to feel overwhelming and at times I have questioned whether it is all worth it. Seeing what it has done for me and how it has made other's experience at Queens that much better has really put everything into perspective.

     A large contributor to my "seeing things in perspective" would have to be my increased involvement in this years freshman class and with the donors/volunteers who make all of what Queens has to offer a possibility. I mentioned in an earlier blog that I have started mentoring and doing a student facilitated group to help the incoming freshman with the transfer to university life. It is those opportunities that have really allowed me to come full circle. It gives me a chance to see and hear what the freshman are doing and the experiences they have then comparing them to my time as a freshman. By comparing the feelings, experiences and thoughts of this years freshman and my freshman year to my time as a senior, I really can't believe all that Queens has done for me.

     On the other side of that, I have had the privilege to meet and speak with a large number of our trustees and other alumni in the Charlotte community. With this, I get to see where Queens has taken them years after they have graduated. To literally see the transformation from freshman year till my senior year and get a sneak peak into the lives of those who have made the best of their education is unreal. I guess you could say that I have finally learned to take in what others experiences have done for them and what value it adds to my life as a senior.

     Also, having served Queens in the best way I know how for almost four years now, I have always respected the motto "not to be served, but to serve" yet somehow failed to fully implement that into my life. Recently, I have had the pleasure of seeing first hand what it is like to plan and collect donations from the students and local businesses to benefit a local nonprofit organization that throws birthday parties for the children of Charlotte who cannot afford it. We watched students selflessly donate without the promise of extra credit and without the potential to get your name printed somewhere. They did it because they simply wanted to help. People taking advantage of opportunities to put someone else first and truly embrace the Queens motto has never felt so good.

     I suppose this wouldn't be a well rounded reflection without the chance to mention the opportunity to grow and become a stronger leader and student. After helping a few students this past week with a core assignment, I couldn't help but see what they were missing. What they assumed was the professors way of being "too hard" or "just impossible" was actually their way of pushing the students and challenging them to become better than they thought they could be. This, for many, is the first time a professor has done so and it can be overwhelming. To challenge their thoughts and challenge the ideas that has for so long been the norm and comfort level in a Queens student, hadn't necessarily been done before now. Queens has designed a program that will allow students to think outside the box and create their own identity as a student. It is this identity that they bring with them to interviews and post graduate opportunities wherever they may be.

     My confidence level and ability to take ordinary situations and make them extraordinary has developed over the last three years and has continued to separate me from "the other student". I'm not a number, not another name, but a well rounded, confident student who is about to graduate with the power of a degree and the experience to go with it. I can't say enough about how much I am learning from others and what finally taking it all in has done for me. I can't wait to see what life has in store for me, but I can assure you, I will be ready!

Two weeks in and I think I'll join the circus!

     First, I want to apologize for not having this blog up sooner. The title of this particular blog sums it up pretty good when I say that I am considering joining the circus. After all, with the juggling and balancing act I put on every day with class, practice and clubs, I would be a perfect fit! This semester has, however, started exactly the way I had planned and I couldn't be happier.

     The beginning any new year can be really tough for a number of reasons regardless of how many years you've been there. With each new year comes the things you miss the most from the past years followed by the uncertainty of the future. Sure, we know our classes and what clubs were considering joining, but college in itself is such a large and overwhelming aspect of lives no matter who you are! I have spent three years building relationships and a reputation here at Queens with hopes that one day I would feel confident in my ability to step out of my life at Queens and into the real world with the utmost confidence in my education and preparation. In doing so, I have found myself getting more and more involved with this University.

     I know that anyone who has read my blog or met me in person can attest to the fact that I pride myself on extracurricular activities. Of course, I wouldn't be telling the truth if I didn't at least mention that I am a student first and foremost before ANYTHING else. I always talk about clubs, sports, etc... but don't EVER lose sight of the fact that my sole purpose for being in college was to walk across that stage with an education in hand. Luckily, I have made it to my senior year and will not only walk with that education but the experience to go with it.

     That experience, however, is made up of so many different pieces. Some of those pieces were offered here through Queens and some of those pieces came from places I never expected. That's what makes it so special though! Thats what is so amazing about this University. Recently, in addition to my laundry list of clubs and orgs I have increased my participation in helping the freshman class. As of this semester, I am a peer mentor for a great young man who I can't wait to continue building relationship with and I have also joined the Transfer to University (T2U) group. This is a student facilitated group with anywhere from eight to ten freshman students who discuss a number of issues that they face as they make their way into the next step of their lives...College. Queens is determined to keep this university a place students can call home and a place where they feel welcome. T2U is designed to help air out and mediate issues that might step in the way of that goal. It is a national study and Queens is lucky to have the chance to participate as am I. I like to think that when I was a freshman there was nothing I would have liked more than to interact on a more personal level with a senior who might be able to help guide me through the unfamiliar times. This is sort of my way of giving back or maybe giving what I never had. Whether I help twenty students or five, If I made some sort of a difference in at least one students time here, I did my job.

     Along with being a peer mentor and T2U facilitator, I have also taken the role as President of the Student Ambassadors, Secretary of Campus Union Board, Communications Chair of Mortar Board, a student tutor and a goalie on the Men's Lacrosse team to name a few. When I mentioned earlier that this was a juggling act, I wasn't kidding! I love what I do and the life I live more than anything because I know it is exactly what I have wanted and I know it is exactly how I want to look back and remember college. These first few weeks back have been filled with registering the clubs, getting new members acclimated, sorting out the details for the future, scheduling events and meeting with the advisor's or exec boards to get everybody on the same page with what exactly the vision or mission is for that club/org. At the end of the day, I am only building on top of the experience that I have already gained at Queens.

     As hectic as that sounds, it is also a blessing because I not only meet a variety of new people, but expose myself to ALL that college has to offer. Most of the relationships I cherish here the most come from my involvement and I will promote extracurricular activities till the day I die! Once in a while, you see something you did affect another students experience and there is no better feeling. It also feels great when you're in an interview and can handle questions about organization, planning, retention, etc... because that is the kind of stuff I take away from this education and experience.

     Enough about how busy things can get, I want to talk a little bit about the fun stuff! Lacrosse has just started up and although it is only Fall ball, we look good! I am happy with the freshman class and happy with the way practice has been run. It only reassures me that I made the right decision. Also, on a positive note, I get to sit in on the fund raising campaign lunch next Friday with a number of our trustees, our Deans, Vice President and our President Dr. Davies. This may not mean much to anybody that doesn't attend Queens, but this is what it is all about! I will certainly share how that went in my next post.

     Our welcome back party that took place the day before school started this semester was also a huge success and we had an absolute blast with the huge blow up water slides, obstacle courses, the free food and music! Since then we have also had Karaoke night and our sorority formal recruitment. Recruitment seems to be going really really well and Karaoke night is always a hit. This year we even had the pizza guy do a number for us. You wouldn't know it, but THE GUY COULD SING! Over the next few days I look forward to watching some more college football and seeing my gators beat up on Tennessee! For those of you who don't know, we are 2-0 with wins over Miami and Hawaii.

     Last, I have to say I really miss Michigan. I met a lot of great people that I love keeping in touch with and the more they tell stories or bring up inside jokes, the more I think about how much fun I had. I have said it before, but now that I have had some time to let it sink it, that was exactly what I needed before my senior year. I hope hope hope to make it back soon so I can visit all my friends and catch a Michigan game! Pending their schedule and my practice schedule, I am thinking sometime in mid October.

     Well it's past my bed time so I should get going. Once again I apologize for the late blog, but want you to know that they will keep coming on a regular basis now that things are slowing down! Life here is good, the weather is warm and were getting some rain for a change! I say this almost every time but please please please send me any questions you might have! My e-mail is still tyler.rauch@qmail.queens.edu and I check it 200 times a day! I hope the new school year is working out well for everyone and hope that the summer treated everyone as well as mine treated me. Take care, be safe and have a great weekend!!!