Saying Yes: How Taking Risks Shaped My Innovation Academy Journey

By Kathryn Rzeczkowski

When I first stepped onto the University of Florida’s campus, I knew I was stepping into a whole new world. I am from New Jersey, and coming here meant leaving behind everything familiar — family, friends, and the comfort of knowing someone everywhere I went. In fact, I’m the only person from my high school who came to UF. As exciting as that was, it also meant that finding my footing here was going to take time, effort, and a little bit of courage. 

The Innovation Academy (IA) helped me find my path. I am so thankful for the living learning community that IA provided, because it gave me a space where I could connect with people who were just as driven and curious as I was. Some of the very first friends I made at UF came through IA, and they’ve since become some of my best friends. Looking back, I know this sense of community made the transition to college not only easier but also so much more meaningful.  

As a biochemistry major on the pre-med track, I’ve always been motivated to seek out opportunities that will challenge me and help me grow. That mindset has led me to get involved in a wide range of organizations at UF, from Medi-Gators to a Panhellenic Sorority, Catholic Gators, and even the Filipino Student Association (FSA). Each of these groups has given me a different perspective of college life.  

For example, through Medi-Gators, I had the chance to volunteer for eight hours in a medical setting with the next generation of future doctors and gain first-hand exposure to the kind of work I hope to do in the future by learning from my fellow volunteers or the many Shands employees that came to share their specialty. Similarly, tabling at Turlington Plaza taught me how to put myself out there and advocate for causes I care about, while Sigma Kappa and Catholic Gators have given me communities that feel like family, offering support in ways I didn’t even know I needed when I first arrived at UF.  

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far is that opportunities rarely fall into your lap. You have to be bold enough to take them and seek them out. During my first fall at UF, I had the opportunity to be part of the first test group for IA’s Information Literacy Scholars six-week program. At first, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but I said yes, and it ended up being one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had in college so far. I learned practical skills like how to source and analyze data, skills that I still use in my classes and research today! More than that, though, it gave me confidence in my ability to step into unfamiliar situations and grow from them.  

Of course, it hasn’t always been easy. There were moments, especially early on, when I felt homesick or wondered if I would ever feel fully settled at such a large university. Being far from home and navigating such a huge campus can feel overwhelming, but I’ve found that saying yes, whether to a club meeting, a volunteer shift, or just an invitation can make all the difference. Each “yes” has led me to new friendships, new skills, and new opportunities that I never would have imagined for myself.  

To anyone considering joining the Innovation Academy, or to students who are just beginning their journey at UF, my biggest piece of advice is this: don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Join the clubs that sound interesting, talk to the person sitting next to you in class, apply for the program that intimidates you. It’s in those moments of boldness that you’ll find growth. The IA program is special because it doesn’t just give you academic knowledge; it creates an environment where you can take risks, build connections, and discover who you are as both a student and a person.  

As I continue on my pre-med track, I know the lessons I’ve learned here, both inside and outside the classroom, will continue to shape me. UF has already given me more than I could have imagined when I left my small hometown, and I’m excited to see where the journey goes from here. To future Innovator Gators: take the opportunities in front of you, even if they scare you a little. They might just change your life.