Vision Board Night sets tone

Welcome Week invites students to create their vision for Fall

Students gather in Trojan Dining Hall for Vision Board Night. Alex Ford photo

With a pair of scissors in one hand and a magazine in the other, students searched for the perfect words to represent what they wanted their future to look like. At Vision Board Night, held by the Welcome Week Committee, dreams became more than thoughts; they became something students could see right in front of them.

The event gave students an opportunity to reflect on their goals, meet new people and think about what they want their college experience to look like. For incoming students, events like Vision Board Night can provide a welcoming environment to step outside their comfort zones and become more involved on campus.

Reese Williams, a freshman social work major from Phenix City, Alabama, said one of her biggest goals at Troy University is to be involved.

“One of my most important goals here at Troy University is to get involved,” Williams said.

For many incoming students, starting college can be a major transition. Leaving home, meeting new people and adjusting to a new environment can be challenging. Events that encourage students to socialize and participate can help make that transition easier.

Williams said she wants to make the most of her time at Troy and leave knowing she took advantage of the opportunities available to her.

Creating a vision board gives Williams a way to stay accountable for the goals she has set for herself.

“Having my dreams and goals written and visually seen on paper helps me hold myself accountable to get myself out there and make these goals come to life,” Williams said.

Sha’Nica Coleman, a sophomore business administration major with a concentration in entrepreneurship from Montgomery, Alabama, said Vision Board Night also gave her an opportunity to focus on her goals.

“My goal is to expand my clientele and be active on campus,” Coleman said.

Coleman said events like Vision Board Night are important because they give incoming students an opportunity to socialize, meet people and get their names out there while also helping them understand their purpose for being at Troy.

Rhyan Carson, a junior social work major from Leeds, Alabama, helped organize the event as the chair of the organization committee for Welcome Week. Carson said Vision Board Night was important because it helped set the tone for the first week back on campus.

“Freshmen are nervous and just left home, and having something that is inviting is important,” Carson said.

Carson said the event was about more than creating vision boards. She wanted students to remain focused on their education while also thinking about where they want to go in life.

The turnout for the event also exceeded Carson’s expectations. Seeing students participate and think about their futures made her happy.

“Seeing the turnout surprised me, and it made my heart happy knowing that they are excited to see their future,” Carson said.

Creating a vision board can encourage students to think beyond their college experience. Goals related to academics, careers, involvement and personal growth can serve as reminders of what students hope to accomplish before graduation.

For Williams, putting those goals on paper is one way to make sure she continues moving forward.

As students cut out pictures, searched for meaningful words and arranged their boards, the night became more than a creative activity. It became a reminder that the goals students have for their future can start taking shape long before they walk across the graduation stage.

Students envision their futures during Vision Board Night. Alex Ford photos