As a younger BBG, I didn’t expect much out of the last two terms. I had finally finished serving my term as chapter Orechet and had been encouraged by many older members to be ambitious and run for MIT Mom.

Even more intimidating, I had my summer program, CLTC, coming up. My more experienced friends encouraged me to go to CLTC. Only two other people from my region were going, and I was coping with an insane amount of stress and panic for the two. 

In the airport, walking to bag pickup, I had no clue what the next twelve days of my life would look like. But, when I talked to the strangers around me, I learned one thing: everyone was in an identical situation to me. They were all nervous and eager to make new friends. Those turned into twelve amazing days that shaped my BBYO identity forever. 

This year in BBYO has been so transformative for me. Running for MIT Mom was terrifying. But, with the guidance of other BBGs and their words of encouragement, I ran opposed and won. 

Overall, I have these words of advice to any BBG or AZA that is nervous: do it anyway. It might go well, or it might go wrong, but you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.