So you’re an incoming college freshman this fall and you’re excited to embark upon this new phase of your life. Among all the advice you’ve likely been given during the past few months, you may have received a few exhortations that sound a little something like this: “Make sure you get involved on campus!” There are various reasons your parents, older siblings, or high school guidance counselor may have encouraged you to get involved early; we’ll list five of them here.
1.
There’s more to college than the classroom – There are so many things to be experienced at college apart from academics. Your college campus likely has a plethora of clubs and organizations that organize fun and enjoyable events. In addition, most colleges have facilities designed to give you something to do when you’re not studying: from gyms and fitness centers to game rooms to even dedicated student centers! You’ll find that frequenting these resources will help you to relax and unwind after a tough day of classes. Take advantage of these opportunities!
2. You’ll become a part of something big – Let’s face it: the transition from high school to college can be incredibly challenging for many. For the first time, many people move away from home and become essentially independent. Or, they find it challenging to find an entirely new group of friends. Participating in campus activities provides a number of benefits to assist you in the transition. By attending club meetings that interest you, you are sure to find people you can relate to. In addition, joining organizations provides a sense of belonging, which is especially helpful to combat feelings of homesickness. College is a new experience for incoming freshmen, but participating in campus activities can make it less daunting.
3. It’ll help you boost your resume – Remember that feeling at the start of your senior year of high school, when you realized that you had barely any extracurricular activities to list on your college applications? Make sure you don’t end up making the same mistake twice by getting involved early in college. Being involved outside of the classrooms displays excellent time management skills to potential employers. Not only that, your extracurriculars will help set you apart from the rest of your peers and will shape you into a well-rounded applicant for graduate programs.
4. You’ll be in the loop – Networking, networking, networking. It has commonly been stated that landing a great professional opportunity “is not about what you know, but who you know.” This is especially true in today’s competitive job market. By getting connected to relevant groups and organizations, you will be able to network with numerous people who have established themselves in your field of study. They can give you career advice, serve as a reference, and sometimes even provide you with job opportunities. Any way you slice it, it’s always a good idea to get to know people.
5. You can give back – One of the best parts about getting involved at your college is the opportunity it provides you to give back to the community. Have a special talent or unique ability? Various clubs on campus will allow you to exercise those gifts for the benefit of others. Also, most organizations are actively involved in community service projects. By serving with your fellow members, your group’s sense of identity will be strengthened.
In short, your four years at college will blow by before you know it. By the time you reach your senior year, you’ll wish you had just one more year to participate in all the awesome programs and organizations that you became a part of during your tenure at school. Get involved NOW and reclaim that extra year!
