COLUMN: Say yes and discover what OU can offer

Dear new member of the university family,

Welcome. We’ve been waiting for you. We’ve heard a lot about your many talents and record-breaking test scores. We expect you’ll make our campus an even better place to learn and call home.

Within days of your arrival, your Sooner pride will grow as you discover all OU has to offer — from the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art to the 13 Sooners participating in the 2012 Olympic Games. Those bragging rights are yours now. Own them.

You may feel a little overwhelmed by the 457 registered student organizations, all seeking your membership or participation. Embrace it. College is a time to let your curiosity lead you to discover new hobbies and friends. Say yes to the opportunities that interest you. I promise you will find your niche.

Less than two years ago, I had my “yes” moment that changed my life forever. I received an email from OU Student Media, inviting me to apply for a job. I had no journalism experience, but my interest in writing prompted me to decide, “Why not?”

That attitude has led me to published bylines, leadership positions, a professional internship, meeting incredible people with stories to tell, my best friends, a future career, a passion I didn’t know I had and this dream job as editor in chief.

Keep your mind open, and you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was. Use your free electives to explore, too. I’ve used mine to learn about film, play guitar, take private voice lessons and acquire a second language. Maybe you’ll try photography or tennis. Remember: Why not?

Finally, make studying abroad a priority. It doesn’t matter whether you learn a new language or where you go; the point is to be exposed to a different culture and its people. I write this from Buenos Aires during my last week of a life-changing trip to Argentina. I hope you find time for a similar experience.

Of course, I encourage you to consider The Daily as one of your opportunities for involvement.

We are a student-run and student-led independent newspaper and website. We’re always looking for new students from different backgrounds to diversify our staff of reporters, editors, photographers, videographers, designers and columnists.

The Daily covers what you do, what you care about and what affects you. We make sure your tuition money is well-spent and let you know when President David Boren cancels class because of snow.

Consider OUDaily.com and @OUDaily your go-to spots for breaking university news.

This year, more than ever, we’ll need your help and expertise as we launch a year-long study of our readership to learn what you want and need from The Daily and how we can better provide that.

In the meantime, please feel free to contact me or any member of The Daily editorial board with story ideas, campus issues, questions or corrections. We’re here to serve you.

Your time here will pass quicker than you can imagine, so don’t wait to say yes to new activities and new people. Your journey begins today, and I can’t wait to see where it takes you and how you change OU along the way.

Laney Ellisor is a professional writing senior and the editor in chief of The Daily. You can follow her on Twitter at @LaneyEllisor.

Laney Ellisor

Laney is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as News Reporter, Assistant Managing Editor, Campus Editor, Editor in Chief and Escape Contributor .