My life was changed my at Loyola when I took on the position of a Peer Advisor.

As an underclassmen at Loyola, I truly never found a place to fit in. I had contemplated transferring and starting over because it seemed as though everyone else had already found that group of people and their home on campus. I felt I didn't belong anywhere. I felt I didn't matter. I felt I didn't have an effect. I felt I was a no one.

That is, until I applied to become a peer advisor.

The role of a peer advisor is "to serve as a liaison between Academic Advisors and First-Year students to help first year students have a fulfilling experience". This role is so much more than just these words though. As a peer advisor through First and Second Year Advising, I became the person students rely on during registration when it seems as if it's the end of the world, I became the person students talk to about substance abuse and unhealthy relationships, and I became the person students came to find a home on campus. I was and always have been very transparent with my students, so they knew of my tough transition. So, they would look at me and ask how I figured it out and how did I make it through.

The answer is simply the people in the picture. This was my peer advising family, but I refer to them as my saviors. We went from being completely randomly assigned strangers to becoming the most dysfunctional, diverse, and unique family. We went from having weekly meetings where we were to talk about our class for the next week to having weekly meetings where we completely spilled every detail of our life, including the ups and downs. We went from just meeting because it was mandatory, to having potlucks and attending each other's events because we genuinely cared. We became each other’s support systems, we made each other feel heard, and we made each other feel empowered.

This picture perfectly captures Maggie, Rachel, Simon's son Rahim, myself, and Simon at his house for our end of the year celebration. This was my cannonball moment. These people transformed my life. They made me realize the importance of my role as  peer advisor and they made it possible for me to say that everyone has a home on campus at Loyola. They made me felt that I mattered. They made me feel as if I wasn't alone.

I still serve as a peer advisor on campus. Through my cannonball moment, I can effectively promote a positive first year experience for first year students. My moment allows me to be the Maggies, Rachels, and Simons, to my students and to my other coworkers. I am able to effectively be there for my students and try to the best of my ability to make sure no student ever feels alone.

Now, as a Junior, I am again a Peer Advisor and loving my position. It has helped define me as an individual and shaped my Loyola identity.