My name is Kayin Baker. I am a sophomore here at Missouri State, studying agricultural education. I worked over this past summer as a SOAR leader for group 18 in the Darr College of Agriculture. Through SOAR I met some of my best friends and will forever value the relationships I made over the summer! I would recommend this job time and time again to anyone who needs a summer job. I am now the Leadership Assistant for the Pro-Staff side of SOAR.

One thing I have learned about myself since coming to college is going to sound very cliché, however I value it so much! I have learned how to be a better friend and person ultimately.

While I was excited to come to college and leave my small hometown, I was also scared and uncomfortable. I was getting thrown into a larger city with more diversity and new scenes. This new environment pushed me to make connections with a wider variety of people and sometimes out of my comfort zone. While I am an independent person (or at least I thought so leaving my high school) I expected to do okay skating by without having to interact much with others and going home every weekend.

Throughout late night study sessions, laughter at dinner, and deeper heartfelt conversations, I began to truly understand the importance of friendship. Empathy, communication and support are all traits I was shown by my best friends and have improved myself throughout my time at college.

I’ve learned how to actively listen and be present throughout not only the fun times, but the lows as well. The idea I had of a “good friend” has changed since I have been here.

I realized that fostering these connections and truly valuing them have helped me grow as a person. Having friends that I look up to and view as role models has helped shape me into a better individual. Having friendships that hold each other accountable in all aspects of life, and ones that you can freely talk to are so rewarding.

In conclusion, I will never take my friendships for granted! Even though in high school friendships where mainly surface level, the friendships I have made here are much more! They are my biggest support system, and my favorite people to spend my time with.

These friends I’ve made have positively impacted my life and made me an exponentially better person! My biggest piece of advice to embrace this chapter of your life with open arms and find your friends!

~Kayin