When I was a freshman, I was super excited to get involved on campus. There are so many options -- how's a girl to choose? I dug my hands into everything. At the activities fair my school throws at the beginning of each semester, I threw my name down on eight club lists and walked out with some cookies and a ton of pens. I felt good, because I had made the effort to get involved early in my college career.
A lot of clubs hold informational meetings so you can test the waters before you settle down and commit. Sometimes they offer pizza (yum!) and you get a general overview of how the club works and what it aims to do. Now in my senior year, I have stuck with three clubs I joined back in freshman year (the school newspaper, the literary magazine and our student ambassador program). Here's how I boiled it down to the final three:
- Examine the club and what it has to offer. Is it something you can see yourself excited about? Or will you end up dreading the weekly meetings? Does the club matter to you, and why do you care about it?
- Look at the members of the club. Are they the kind of people you can work with and who might turn out to be great friends? Or will they drive you crazy?
- What are the time commitments and requirements? Will this club take up so much time that you won't have any time to try out any other clubs? Do you have to hold an officer position?
Don't let a club stress you out. They're supposed to be fun for you and a great way to meet new people. If you find yourself in a setting where you loathe meetings and all the members, it may be time to move on. Don't be afraid to break away from the group!
That brings me to another point: It's never, ever, EVER too late to get involved. So what if you're an upperclassman? Don't let that prevent you from joining something you've always had an interest in. I know seniors who have joined Greek life organizations, began writing for the newspaper or joined a pre-professional society. Think about it this way: Out in the working world, it might not be so easy to find a club crew team or get published in a literary magazine.
Remember that you don't need to have a particular major to be involved. There are history majors working at the radio station, business majors writing editorials for the newspaper, psychology majors helping with the music industry club. The list of mixes and matches goes on and on.
While you can start an activity at any point in college, clubs love having first-year students because you are a fresh face to their organization with new ideas and perspectives. There are usually activities fairs or club fairs at the beginning of each semester, but your RA is also a great source for getting information in the meantime. Try not to be intimidated.
Your involvement on campus will really mold your entire college experience. For me, being involved on campus as an RA was the best decision I made. I have an amazing staff and an even more amazing floor of residents. I go through extensive training with the RAs from all over campus, and that leads to super bonding time. Plus, I'm guaranteed 24 new friends every year (my residents)!
It's great when you feel that your club or organization completes you. My involvement as an RA definitely completes me. And that's what it all comes down to: adding and trimming to your life as a student, with pieces that benefit and build you into a better person.
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