Many college bound students don’t realize how important it is to get involved on their university’s campus. Some view college as one big party where as others appear to be on the opposite end of the spectrum, viewing college as solely an academic experience. Often times, extracurricular involvement is overlooked by students who gravitate to each extreme end of the spectra. However, here at College Resource Center, LLC we feel it is best for college students to find some sort of equilibrium between their academic life and social life in conjunction with their involvement in extracurricular activities. Thus, we encourage our clients to get involved on their university’s campus because it’s a great way to meet people, make new friends, develop interpersonal skills, acquire different responsibilities and build your resume. Since there are many opportunities for students to get involved on campus, the following are just a few we recommend.
1. Join a student organization. Colleges and universities boast about the numerous student organizations and clubs they offer. Whether you are interested in politics, journalism, different cultures, skiing etc. there is undoubtedly a group just for you. By joining a student organization, students can meet people, make new friends and gain invaluable leadership and interpersonal skills. Often times, new students are given the opportunity to run for different positions within the organization. With these new positions comes the delegation of responsibilities and the opportunity to take on a leadership role.
2. Create a club. If you have a particular interest that is not represented at your college or university then take it upon yourself to create a club! This is a great way to bring one of your own passions to campus and to share it with the student community.
3. Join a varsity or intramural sports team. Did you play a sport in high school? If so, why not join a team in college? Most colleges and universities offer both varsity and intramural sports. If you’re not looking to participate in varsity athletics because of the time commitment or intensity then gather a group of friends and create an intramural team. Intramural teams are a great way to stay in shape and have fun. It also allows for flexible schedules with games occurring once or twice a week at night.
4. Get a job on campus. Getting a job on campus is a great way to become involved at your university while simultaneously making some extra cash! A majority of on-campus jobs are allocated to work-study students first, but don’t let that stop you. Find a job that suits your individual interests or skill set and apply. Many campus supervisors even allow you to do homework while working. What a great way to make money and get your school work done at the same time!
5. Participate in service learning. If your college or university offers service learning, take advantage of it! This program integrates community service with academics. Students can earn extra credit by participating in a service learning program where they take their skills from the classroom and apply them in real life situations. This gives students the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom and to give back to their community.
Remember, it is never too late to get involved on your university’s campus! Join a club, get a job or do some volunteer work! These extracurriculars serve as resume builders and can make your college experience unforgettable.
About Smart Track™ Toolkit: The toolkit is a web based service that assists families with everything from admissions and test prep, to student athletics and financial aid. Our intuitive software and on-demand workshops are key components to making sure students find their top choice colleges, and families can afford to send them there.
About the author: Alecia Coleman is currently a senior at Bentley University
Connect with us
No comments:
Post a Comment