Contrary to popular belief, being a college student is about more than good grades and extracurricular activities that might look good on your resume.
It is also about growing as a person and becoming comfortable with your mind and body. Once you fully understand yourself, you become your own safe haven in times of stress. You develop the kind of unflappable, go-getting attitude that employers so ardently treasure in their employees.
Gaining confidence in yourself isn't always easy, but there are a few places around Auburn that provide fun, low-key environments to help bring out some of the hidden potential we all carry inside us.
In the Student Activities Center, the peaceful sounds of class instructor Lisa Padgett's instrumental CD will draw you through the double doors of Room 205 to join her as she guides her students through the moves of yoga. Padgett said what she appreciates most about the exercise is that it allows for the strengthening of both body and mind.
Padget became an instructor after spending many years training as a dancer. She said she hopes her classes will allow people to find a fun, relaxing way to exercise.
Classes are available at the Student Activities Center on weekdays. Faculty and students can take advantage of this free service, and the classes are listed on the recreation website.
"Whether it's walking or Zumba or yoga, we just want people to move," Padgett said. "We offer something for everybody. People just need to make that first step."
Mary Clair Thompson, graduate student in mathematics and statistics, said she has definitely seen positive results since she began attending yoga classes.
"I have noticed even just doing it once or twice at the very beginning of last semester my posture was starting to improve," she said. "I stand up straighter, and I sit straighter. It's really great."
Another place in Auburn that may help you to redefine what you can do is Sips and Strokes. Sips and Strokes can help you cater to your more artistic side. The instructor at Sips and Strokes will take you through every step as you learn to paint your own art. After only one session, you will have your very own artwork to take home.
Sips and Strokes employee Annie McCormick, who was once a patron at Sips and Strokes herself, said it is very rewarding to see so many of her customers go home happy.
"I've seen so many people come in here who come into class and they're like, 'I've never painted before in my life' or 'I can't paint a stick figure' and they come up to me after class and say, 'I can't believe I just painted that.'"
One of McCormick's favorite nights at Sips and Strokes was when she was asked to teach a customer who had lost most of her sight. The customer made measurements by using her fingers to feel her way along the canvas and, though there were difficulties, she was able to paint a vase with red flowers with minimal assistance.
McCormick says that this incident only intensified her belief that anyone can go to Sips and Strokes and paint something they can be proud of.
"It doesn't matter what your background is, what walk of life you come from," she says, "These classes are good for everyone."
These classes are not the only way to expand your horizons at Auburn. To find out more go to http://www.aotourism.com.
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