Why You Should Do Things That Scare You

By: Liv Rafaela

The SSU student leaders and Board of Directors went on a staff retreat to Muskoka—here’s how it went! I’ve just started my position as a Digital Community Creator (DCC) in the Marketing department after a year of working as a Student Life Coordinator (SLC). The year I spent working as an SLC really built the confidence and public speaking skills that I needed to switch to the DCC role when talking in front of a camera. I’ve made a lot of new friends and gained quite a few connections, so I felt ready to start something new.  When I heard about the staff retreat from May 12-14, I was excited to do something fun and get to know the new student leaders. Finally, a reward after the long semester and a great way to start the summer!

Every day had its adrenaline-pumping activities we could look forward to. We hiked, ziplined, rock climbed, and rode the giant swing while working as a team. These fun activities challenged our courage and cooperativeness as we learned to trust each other and push ourselves to be more daring. My favourite activity was the giant swing, as everyone had to work together to get two people up on the swing. I wanted to experience the full 100% swing even though I was really scared. I closed my eyes on the way up but when I opened them, the view was amazing. I saw the big lake where there were some Canadian geese and saw more trees beyond the lake. Whenever I felt scared to get on the rides, the other student leaders would push and encourage me, telling me that it would be a fun experience. By sharing these moments, we grew closer together and made lasting memories.

We met our camp counsellors and learned a few camp songs from them. The camp counsellors had high spirits and weren’t afraid of singing and dancing loosely. I really didn’t expect them to be so carefree and unafraid of being silly—it really broke the ice and made everyone feel comfortable to just be themselves. One of the most empowering moments I had was when we roasted some marshmallows and listened to each department’s presentation to discuss plans and future hopes for the Sheridan Student Union.

I am so grateful that the SSU provided this opportunity for the student leaders and the Board of Directors. As we look back on this experience, I am confident that we will cherish the memories we made together. The SSU is in the business of making memories, and that remains true for the student staff as well!

We believe that the best #SheridanLife is one where students have access to opportunities, experiences and tools that help them grow and serve their fellow students.

That’s why the Sheridan Student Union is committed to offering our student leaders career development opportunities and experiences that help them grow and serve the needs of our students. To read more about how your student leaders are working together to advocate for the best #SheridanLife, visit thessu.ca/sheridanlife