Between Resident Assistant duties, sorority events, and high-level classes, Meg Webber, a third-year student at the University of Maine, is shaping up to be busy this semester. As a Secondary Education, English and Womens, Gender and Sexuality Studies student, Webber aims to teach high school English after graduation.
Webber grew up in Turner, Maine, and was initially inclined to choose a school farther from home. Now, however, she feels she made the right decision.
“I met some of my best friends here and I got the opportunity to be a part of a lot of different organizations and clubs across campus,” Webber said.
Through involvement in these different campus activities, Webber has learned first-hand that each student’s college experience largely depends on their dedication to it.
“You get out of it what you put into it,” she said.
Webber hasn’t had any trouble cultivating a fulfilling college experience. In the second semester of her first year, Webber became a member of Delta Phi Epsilon. Joining the sorority, she says, has helped her personally and academically.
“Once I joined a sorority, my whole college experience changed,” Webber said.
Last year, Webber was the sorority’s Vice President of Membership Development, a role where she mentored new members and helped smooth out the joining process. She was recently elected Member-at-Large, which will switch her responsibilities to running sisterhood events and participating in the judicial system within the chapter.
Webber is also involved in academic-related activities on campus. Her role as a student Ambassador for the College of Education and Human Development puts her at the forefront of events like open houses.
Though Webber’s campus involvement has increased steadily since she arrived at college, she doesn’t feel overwhelmed. Juggling a plethora of activities has helped her develop a healthy work-life balance.
“I feel like I really got a handle on things this semester,” Webber said.
Webber’s college experience has largely been shaped by her role as a Resident Assistant in the on-campus dormitories. She became an RA her sophomore year after being inspired by a friend’s older sister. Although there are financial benefits, Webber finds the experience more important because of its relevance to her career goals as an educator.
“It’s made me able to think on my feet and taught me how to truly communicate,” Webber said.
Webber values the ability to help students make the most of college, especially those who might be introverted or not have an established friend group.
“I wanted to be that person that would reach out to those students so that they didn’t have to be the one reaching out,” Webber said.
Although Webber’s responsibilities as an RA extend beyond what meets the eye, she appreciates the experience it has given her.
“I’ve gotten really good at writing emails,” Webber joked.
To other students considering becoming an RA, Webber would recommend that they be prepared for both their social and academic lives to change. She also encourages RAs to lean on their staff and supervisors if they need assistance.
“I would say don’t get discouraged, it can be a really tough position at times,” Webber said.
Currently, Webber is looking forward to visiting home (and her two dogs) for Thanksgiving break. She says it’s hard to find time to visit home, especially on the weekends, because of RA duties and sorority events. A sorority event Webber is especially excited about is their upcoming clothing drive.
“My sorority is doing a clothing drive to support ANAD, which is Anorexia Nervosa Associated Disorders, which is one of our philanthropies,” Webber said.
The clothing drive will be happening in Memorial Union in the upcoming weeks.
This semester, Webber is taking classes more geared toward her secondary education major. Over the summer, Webber gained relevant experience in her major, spending five weeks long-term subbing as a high school math teacher. Though it might not have been her preferred subject, Webber appreciates the experience she gained.
Though her commitments seldom allow for much free time, Webber enjoys reading when she can. Her favorite books include Gary D. Schmidt’s “Orbiting Jupiter” and John Green’s “Looking for Alaska.” Though her college experience seems to be flying by, Webber is appreciating and having fun in her junior year.
