We as college students are constantly urged to “get out of our comfort zones” and “put ourselves out there,” especially at a school as opportunity laden as Yale. These phrases are echoed at orientation, club fairs and every event promising personal growth. But do we truly live by this advice?

Yale’s vast array of clubs, societies and activities paints a picture of endless possibility and choice. Yet, paradoxically, this abundance can sometimes become a sort of trap — the almost infinite possibilities nudge us towards what feels safe and familiar. An illusion of choice is created where thousands of options splay out before us, yet we gravitate naturally towards activities that play to our existing strengths.

Too many options can cause a decision paralysis that reinforces our desire for comfort. Consider the average Yalie: a driven, straight-A achiever who has rarely ever failed and certainly has no intention of doing so now. This accomplished profile, whilst admirable, can create immense pressure to choose paths where success is almost guaranteed. 

It’s both easier and seemingly cleverer to join groups that align with existing skills rather than risk embarrassment or failure elsewhere. This is a natural, if limiting, instinct. Do what you know, gather prestige and keep that upward trajectory as smooth as possible. But if we came here to do what we already know, why did we come at all? 

I advocate for the acceptance and embrace of possible failure as a necessary and even healthy, formative experience. This goes beyond the clichéd reasons of “escaping the comfort zone” and “making the most of college;” this perspective shift leads us to a more concrete chance of improvement and self-development. 

When we decide to do something terrifying, we step into a crucible where fear of judgement catalyses our improvement. Procrastination and carelessness are not options when others are watching; anxiety and accountability can rapidly accelerate our learning. As scary as it undoubtedly is, fear of public humiliation or perceived failure can be an incredible force for advancement. We get better faster when we’re scared of what others might think and work harder. When we’re doing what we know, there is no pressure to improve on the go, no incentive to push ourselves to be on par with those around us and no fear to drive us forwards towards progression.

It’s all too easy to mistake participation for progress. Signing up for different clubs and meetings can quickly become a checkbox ticked rather than an actual challenge. When we’re all surrounded by peers who excel effortlessly, the pressure to maintain that image can discourage risk-taking. We find ourselves gravitating towards environments where we’re completely assured of our own competence and failure is unthinkable. 

Many of Yale’s clubs and societies are complicit in enabling this culture, too. Endless rounds of highly competitive auditions and interviews create an environment where students feel compelled to present themselves as already skilled rather than as learners eager to explore. The gates to participation in any given activity are guarded by expectations of excellence and mastery from day one, blocking out anyone who might simply be trying to learn or explore. As a result, patterns emerge: those who debated, researched, acted or wrote in high school do the exact same in college. It is safe and comfortable to excel. Why risk it?

Although there is no one cure to this culture of perpetuated perfectionism, one way forward might be to challenge both ourselves and our clubs to promote genuine exploration rather than gatekeeping excellence. Clubs might reconsider how they structure auditions and interviews, creating pathways that welcome enthusiasm and curiosity as much as experience and skill. This might mean hosting open workshops for beginners to demarcate between those who are experienced and those who are learning — perhaps clubs might introduce trial periods where students can learn before being evaluated. 

Whatever the case, the onus is certainly also on us students to intentionally seek out genuinely daunting experiences that push us into action through discomfort. Change won’t come overnight, but by rewarding the courage to try, rather than just the polish of mastery, Yale can become a place where exposure is a lived and shared value. 

Whilst there is much to be said for the development of existing skills and deepening our experience in the fields we love, this doesn’t have to be to the exclusion of anything else — new, interesting and scary activities aren’t distractions, but catalysts for growth. Rather than narrowing our experiences to whatever guarantees success, we should welcome the discomfort of being novices again. 

By confronting fear of failure and doing things we’re not perfect at, judgement can fuel our determination to improve. I would even go so far as to argue that the goal isn’t to overcome the fear of judgement and failure at all. The point is to do things in spite of the fear. That is what propels us and creates rapid advancement.

Resist the urge to settle into familiar activities where success feels certain and instead seek out challenges that make you vulnerable and uncertain. Pushing past the comfort of existing skills is not a distraction from excellence — it is the path to achieving it.

GEORGE BEEVERS is a first year in Pierson College. He can be reached at george.beevers@yale.edu.