Wins beyond the gradebook: Finding confidence and community at RMIT

At the beginning of my first year at RMIT University Vietnam, I planned almost every hour of my week around coursework. I took pride in meeting deadlines and crossing assignments off my to-do list. By Semester A 2026, however, the routine had begun to wear me down. I was getting things done, but I was missing opportunities to experience university beyond academics.

I decided to enrol in only two courses in Semester B, giving myself more time to explore interests beyond the classroom. What seemed like a small change to my schedule opened the door to experiences that challenged how I understood success.

I had joined extracurricular activities before, but usually in settings where the plans were clear and the responsibilities were familiar. This semester, I wanted to challenge myself in a different way: by stepping into situations where I could not predict what would happen or whether I would succeed.

My first challenge was applying for the Program Department of the RMIT Golden Flames Competitions Club (GFCC). I had considered joining for a long time but kept finding reasons to hesitate. What if I was not capable enough? What if I had nothing meaningful to contribute?

Unlike coursework, where I could prepare against clear requirements, joining GFCC meant putting myself forward without knowing the outcome. Still, I decided to apply. From the interview and probation period to the pitching stage, each step pushed me beyond what felt familiar.

Getting accepted was exciting, but the experience taught me something more valuable: I had often mistaken being inexperienced for being incapable. Watching enthusiastic seniors take initiative and embrace unfamiliar challenges also made me question why I had been so reluctant to do the same.

I began to understand that I did not need to feel confident before taking action. Sometimes, confidence came from being willing to try before I felt ready.

That willingness to try also changed how I approached the Student Ambassador Team (SAT).

I joined SAT Group 2 in Semester A, but with much of my attention focused on coursework, I often found myself observing activities rather than actively participating. In Semester B, I wanted to contribute more, so I began taking part in Orientation Day, Meet & Greet, Charity Day, daily shifts and other events.

At first, it was not easy to step into a team where others already seemed experienced and comfortable with one another. I was still figuring out how to contribute, take initiative and balance my commitments. However, I gradually became more involved, leading my first campus tours and supporting several Information Day events.

As I took on more responsibilities, I began to feel the older ambassadors placing greater trust in me. More importantly, I started building genuine connections with my teammates. Between daily shifts, a charity trip and our memorable trip to Vung Tau, people I had barely known became friends I genuinely looked forward to seeing.

I had once assumed that spending more time socialising would leave me exhausted. Instead, working alongside the team helped me become more open to others, more willing to take initiative and more comfortable being myself.

I also realised that belonging did not happen automatically. It grew through small, repeated actions: showing up, speaking up and contributing even when I was still finding my place. The more I participated, the less I felt like an outsider and the more I recognised the value of being part of something beyond myself.

Looking back, my biggest win this semester was not simply getting into GFCC or becoming more active in SAT. It was learning to approach unfamiliar experiences with curiosity rather than letting uncertainty hold me back.

I used to prefer activities with clear plans and predictable outcomes because they made me feel in control. Now, I understand that not every worthwhile experience comes with a guarantee of success. Sometimes, the value lies in discovering what I can contribute, what I enjoy and what I still need to learn along the way.

I still care about my grades and want to do well academically. But I no longer see university as simply a place to complete assignments and build a strong transcript. It is also a space to challenge myself, explore new interests and form connections that shape who I become.

Next semester, I hope to contribute more to GFCC and SAT, continue exploring my interests and remain open to opportunities I might once have hesitated to pursue.

After all, some of my most meaningful wins this semester began when I stopped waiting to feel ready and gave myself the chance to try.

Story by: Nguyen Phuong Linh, an RMIT Vietnam student. This article does not reflect the views of RMIT Vietnam as an institution.