As you’re envisioning your first semester of college, you might be thinking about the classes you’ll take, the people you’ll meet, the dorms, the dining hall…there will be so much to explore! When you’re not in class, studying, or working on homework, you’ll probably want to get involved with some outside-of-class activities on-campus. Before you arrive, how can you find out about the organizations and activities you’ll be able to get involved with?
It’s possible that you may have already done some research into the offerings at your chosen school, and you might have even written about those offerings in your supplemental essays (such as your “Why This College?” essays). Maybe the fact that the school you’ll be attending has a particular club–like an affinity group, a volunteer opportunity or even something like Ultimate Frisbee–was among the reasons you chose the school to begin with! Regardless of whether you already know what you want to join, or you’re thinking about it for the first time, we have some ideas for how you can get to know student organizations and activities on-campus.
A great place to start is the college’s website. As you’re navigating through the various pages on the site, look for a page dedicated to student clubs and organizations, usually nested under the “Campus Life” or “Student Life” heading on the school’s homepage. Under that heading, you’ll usually be able to find an alphabetical, searchable list of student clubs and organizations. You’ll usually also be able to find volunteer opportunities and community organizations that the college has affiliations with, as well as DEI-centered offerings (such as affinity groups), sororities and fraternities. Exploring what you find on those pages is a great way to get started.
Once you find a club or group you’re interested in, it’s worth looking into whether they have a social media presence. Many student organizations have Instagram accounts or Facebook pages where they post updates about events, documentation of activities and membership, and other fun, meaningful content. Whether you’re into Political Science or Dungeons and Dragons, following the social media accounts of the clubs you might join can help you form a clear sense of what involvement is like and whether you’d like to join when fall rolls around.
When you do arrive on campus, you might find your college hosting fairs or festivals that are focused on spreading the word about student organizations. Many schools have a fall gathering in an area such as the campus quad where organizations host tables featuring information for curious potential members. Often these fairs also feature music, food and a fun atmosphere for meeting and getting to know your new peers. Attending one of these events is a wonderful way to find out about activities you might not have known about otherwise.
Another source of information on student organizations on campus: student government. If your school has a student government, chances are their office has a lot of information on where, when and how to join campus organizations. You might also talk with your academic advisor when you arrive on campus and find out what she or he knows about getting involved.
Participating in clubs, extracurricular activities and student organizations at your college is a great way to meet new people, gain experience and contribute to something bigger. With a little research, you’ll be able to join something that will end up being a big part of your college journey.
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