Mickelle Bisbee – Staff Writer
Darryl Bellamy Jr. gave students three techniques to help them conquer their fears while in college: the 5-second rule, managing your body and starting small.
The 5-second rule sounds very similar to the rule where you have 5 seconds to eat something after you dropped it on the floor, but do not worry it is not. The 5-second rule is talking about having 5 seconds to act on a thought when it enters your brain. It allows the person to act on their decisions rather than think on them and not act.
“At the end of the day, you don’t die if you fall in the water,” Bellamy said. “You die if you don’t swim.”
The second technique, managing your body, includes having good posture, breathing and movement. He gave the example of the butterflies in your stomach.
“It’s about getting those butterflies to fly in formation,” said Bellamy.
Starting small, the last technique, is to take the smallest steps toward a goal.
The event was filled with engaging and interactive activities for the more than 1000 students that came, starting with one surrounded by the concept of fear. “I fear that…” was the leading statement for students to fill out on notecards they received at the beginning of the event.
“When I ask better questions, I get better answers,” Bellamy said as he allowed students time to fill them out.
Students were allowed anonymously to become vulnerable while writing their answers. Some of the students’ answers were shared on stage, and students who related with other students’ fears would snap their fingers. The auditorium echoed with these snaps.
“You are never alone in your journey,” said Bellamy as he introduced the next activity, similar to the one before.
The lights in the auditorium dimmed considerably and Bellamy began to explain different scenarios to the students with topics such as fear, self-reflection and suicide. When students related to these scenarios, they would stand, and they could see just how many of their peers dealt with similar issues.
Bellamy said the top three fears students had were the fear of failure, not feeling they are enough and judgement/rejection. He delved into each fear, going into his own experiences to help students.
Bellamy gave black bands with “I’m Fearless Inside” etched on the inner part of the band, as well as his contact information for students to reach out to him.
“He definitely inspired and encouraged every person in the auditorium,” said April Heaney, director of the LeaRN Programs.
Bellamy was involved in college as a resident assistant, orientation leader and a part of his student government among other things.
He said going to college without being involved in the school was like handing money to a cashier without buying anything.
