Rustam Seyidov, New Media Language student, Study@KTU Ambassador
Throughout my time at university and in life in general, one key principle has stayed with me: take the risk and say “yes” to every opportunity. I’m not pitching this as an absolute dogma or the only way to live. However, because it has played such a vital role in my own academic experience, I believe it’s worth sharing.
“Risk” is a basic word, yet we often overcomplicate the concept. When people hear it, they tend to imagine Red Bull-style extreme sports, jumping dozens of meters on a motorcycle or skydiving. While that is certainly one form of risk, many of us treat small, everyday decisions as if we were standing on that same terrifying ramp, staring down a life-threatening jump.
Joining a new society, attending a networking event, or going abroad on an exchange are key parts of student life. Yet so many people miss out on these because of simple fear. To be honest, I am not the one who needs an explanation of social anxiety; it is a reality for most of us, and I am no exception.
The risk I am talking about starts here. It isn’t about having no fear at all; it’s about stepping over it. Whether it’s joining the university community or travelling somewhere new, fear is a natural part of the process. It is nothing to be ashamed of. The real tragedy is the sheer number of opportunities people lose simply because they couldn’t push past that initial hesitation.
Looking back at my time at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), I can see how different and how much duller my life would be if I had let anxiety hold me back. The incredible amount of experience I have gained simply wouldn’t exist. By pushing through, I joined the Talent Academy and Study@KTU Ambassadors, met people from around the world who are now my closest friends, visited numerous countries, and learned new languages.
In search for an example, I can hardly choose something specific to mention. The fulfilment with a life I have now is a puzzle. Its pieces are different opportunities provided by the university, and my assurance to take a risk and try. And there are tons of these puzzle pieces.
As a member of Talent Academy, I took part in the Innovation Workshop, practising as the Communication Manager for my Team. Did our team win that workshop? No. Do I feel sad about the result, or do I regret attending it? No, not at all. I had, and I used unique chances to work and learn.
Joining the Study@KTU Ambassadors Team, I did “tough work”: waking up early in the morning and going to an interview. The result is right in front of you. If that morning anxiety and laziness won over a simple wish to spice things up, you probably would have never seen this article. And this is exactly what I have been craving: to take my writings out from under the mattress and share them with people. Looking back, I actually think the result was worth waking up and talking to random people for a few minutes.
Every single one of these experiences started with a step over a fear. I’m not calling it a simple step on purpose; I know that crossing the threshold of anxiety is neither simple nor easy. But I am certain it is always worth trying.
Remember: you are not the one standing on a Red Bull stunt ramp. If things don’t go perfectly, you won’t end up in the hospital. In fact, you probably won’t even remember the awkwardness a few days later.
The only things I truly regret are the risks I didn’t take. So, without trying to sound too much like a famous sports brand’s motto: try. Use every possibility you get. It will be worth it, even if things don’t go exactly to plan. The experience you gain is the most valuable asset you will ever have.
