I’d say that my favorite part about going to the University of Cincinnati is the sheer number of activities and opportunities there are on campus. Whether you’re looking to get involved in Greek Life or a professional organization, volunteer in the community, or get experiences within your area of study, there are a million ways to do that!
At the end of the day, college is what you make of it, and there’s no better time to start than your first year at UC.
UC Campus Clubs & Organizations
If you’ll be on campus during Welcome Week, the week right before classes start when freshmen can explore campus while they get settled, you won’t want to miss the Organization Fair. At the beginning of each semester, clubs set up tables to promote their organization, give out freebies, and hand out information about meetings. During fall semesters, this usually happens on Nippert Field.
This is a great time to see all the possible clubs to join. A good rule of thumb is usually to try out 3 different clubs: an academic-related club, a professional-related club, and one that’s just for fun! If there’s a club that you’re interested in but don’t see at the organization fair, you can always check GetInvolvedUC (or see if you can start it yourself)!
I can’t write about clubs at UC without mentioning the best part of my college experience: Her Campus Cincinnati! For anyone interested in writing, marketing, journalism, content creation, design, or photography, this is the club for you.
Dorms & Daily Life
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but keep your dorm door open during the first few weeks of being on campus. In communal dorms, this is such a great way to meet others in your building. If your dorm has communal areas like a kitchen or study spots, sit out and about to meet others, too.
When you’re on campus during the day for classes, resist the urge to go back to your dorm until all of your responsibilities for the day are done. If you have a gap between classes, see if someone from your lecture wants to go get coffee and study, or go to the dining hall for lunch. Building relationships outside the classroom can feel overwhelming, but most times it starts with a simple invite to do something.
I made so many friends with the people in my major by studying in between classes, grabbing coffee after our studio, or going to the REC center on our off day.
Greek Life
UC has the benefit of over 40 active sororities and fraternities on campus. For many sororities, recruitment week takes place at the same time as Welcome Week, allowing registered students to meet the sorority members and see the houses. Fraternities often have their recruitment opportunities a few weeks after classes start, but it often depends on the specific house. There are also professional co-ed fraternities on campus, aimed at networking within your industry.
Finding Your Fit
All good things will come in time, so you shouldn’t stress about needing to find your perfect friend group or favorite study spot right when you move in. If you put effort into getting involved and meeting other people, you will eventually find the place where you fit best.