Student Spotlight: Meet Collins

Tell us about yourself!

 

My name is Collins, and I’m from Des Moines, Iowa. I’m currently a Sophomore at Augsburg. I’m a double major in Secondary Education and Communicative Arts and Literature. That’s a lot of words, but it boils down to an English major that translates into teaching. Communicative Arts is basically the study of how you communicate literature effectively. My classes are heavily based in literature, writing, argumentation, and a lot of public speaking.

 

What brought you to Augsburg?

StepUP brought me to Augsburg. I had applied to a lot of other colleges, many were more well known and closer to home than Augsburg. I got the acceptance letters back and had received a handful of scholarships. At the time, I felt like I should have been excited but I was more focused on trying to get sober. I had six months clean at the time, so even though it seemed like college was all set up, I just didn’t feel like [going to college] would work for me.

 

The deciding factor was hearing students speak. I remember when I was in treatment, some women from StepUP came and talked to everyone about the program. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about college – I was simply focused on not using. I remember these two women really well – one had just graduated and was a really big leader in the community. The two of them spoke about their college experiences while seeming happy, healthy, and put together. I wanted the experience they were describing, and I wanted to be just as happy, healthy, and put together as they were. Of course, my decision wasn’t based entirely on those women but it was definitely a good influence on me.

 

What’s your passion?

 

I would say teaching is my passion, both in a classroom and being an RA for the girls in the flat. Working with my residents and being able to teach them what StepUP is about and how it changes – that is an automatic feel good moment. I enjoy any opportunity to teach. I find that so interesting, because none of us really had a “automatic leadership role” when we got here – we had to step up to the plate. However, that’s another thing I love about StepUP – we definitely don’t all come in as leaders, but the staff provides the community with so many leadership opportunities here. We’re able to establish those roles and feel confident.

 

Who in StepUP has heavily influenced you, whether it’s a peer, alum or staff member?

 

I feel like this might be a really incorrect answer, but I met my boyfriend here and he is just a really healthy, positive person in the community. I think he’s influenced me in a lot of good ways. He shows me what a healthy relationship is in recovery. That positivity is an essential part of this whole experience.

 

My other really good friend here has influenced me so much because she’s kind to everyone – even when it’s not convenient. I feel that everyone knows that feeling – where sometimes it’s easy to be friendly, sometimes it’s hard. However, my friend is such a kind person – even though her life isn’t easy at times. She never lets anything personal effect how she treats other people. She is a sweet presence in this community and has really influenced me in that regard. She makes me want to be a better person. I love her.

 

Do you have any words of advice for new students?

 

I would say, don’t have any very concrete, preconceived notions of what’s going to happen here. The people that you think you have to befriend, what your major is, everything – it is likely to change. It is much more important to be open to everything and realize that life in StepUP is not always perfect – it is still a human experience. However, all that insecurity and doubt in the beginning – it gets easier as you go along and adjust to the community and sobriety over time. You will change, but in good ways.

 

What is your proudest accomplishment?

 

My proudest accomplishment is staying clean. Not just getting clean, but staying clean. What does a drug addict want to do? They want to use. I’ve had friends pass away while I’ve been clean, overdoses and such, and that was hard. Breakups and other disappointments have not been an excuse to use either. I’m really proud of myself and my commitment to sobriety.

 

What keeps you here? What’s the most valuable part of this program for you?

 

The feeling of fellowship is the biggest part of StepUP to me. As an RA, I know that we don’t live in a perfect community, and we don’t pretend that we’re a perfect community. We have issues and differences, but we’re all just trying to live again and be adults. While we may not always be in the same spot as one another, there’s a real bond that lives here that I probably wouldn’t have in a “normal” dorm. If I’m upset or if I’m struggling I can walk outside and ten different people will ask me to go to a meeting, get coffee, tell me they love me, give me a hug – whatever I need. I get so many hugs every day. For me, it’s the fellowship that makes StepUP a great program.

 

Thanks, Collins!