My Story/college

My Story - Ellie Thorstad

Ellie Thorstad - Student Leader
U of M - Twin Cities

Like many other athletically uncoordinated students, I spent most of high school active in clubs and volunteering. I was always looking for new activities to plan, trying to find new ways to get involved and to get others involved. I was in my element, and happiest, when working with friends and classmates on projects and service.

For some reason, despite that happiness, when I looked to the future, service was never my main goal, or even a priority. Honestly, I assumed that I would start college, get wrapped up in classes, friends, etc, and do all I could to graduate with a degree that would make me a lot of money. It was selfish and greedy, but it was a very real goal to me. 

Starting at the U of M was very intimidating for me. I was in a new world, in over my head, and had heard many times that the easiest way to make Minnesota home was to get involved and meet new people through shared interests.

On only my 5th day in this new environment, I heard about STLF. I haven't decided whether it was chance, fate, luck, or some other force that caused me to choose that particular info session (there were about 15 to choose from, and I didn't know the names or descriptions of any organizations there that day), but it was a decision that has made my time at the U, and my life, significantly better.  I instantly felt, while hearing Greg Tehven speak about STLF, as though this was something I had to be a part of.

STLF, to me, is about growth and learning. After some months of being very active in STLF, I was invited to be on the Chapter Core at the U of M. The experience has been wonderful, and has opened my eyes to so many things I never knew or realized about myself. My worst habits of procrastination and perfectionism have been challenged constantly. I have grown into a much more responsible person as I handle the workload of being on a core, and I am frequently reminded that STLF doesn't look for mere perfection; they look for those who can learn from the opportunities given, those who can develop into even stronger leaders than they are today, and those who can take a chance and "fake it 'til they make it."

Even better, personally, I have reevaluated my goals for the future and have settled on a nonprofit management major with hopes of building a career working for wonderful organizations that bring out the passion and happiness that I have found in STLF.

My hand-eye coordination will forever be as bad as it was in high school, but I know that there are so many other parts of my life that will continue to grow and improve, and with some PMA, and the patience to learn from my experiences, I'll be just fine... Clumsy, but just fine. :)

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