With the beginning of a new school year comes the familiar crush of exhausting class schedules, endless homework, and panic-inducing tests, not to mention the newfound pressures to become re-involved in as many extracurriculars as you can take! As a freshman or sophomore on campus it is easy to sign up for a million email lists at the club fair and feel overwhelmed by the amount of things there are to get involved in, how many general body meetings you have been invited to. Or you could be having the opposite problem- if you’re not looking in the right places it can be easy to get lost in the online portals and feel as though you can not find anything that sparks your interest, or specific information about how to get involved.
But do not be alarmed! Chances are, most people around you are in the exact same position. This is not something to stress. Extracurriculars are supposed to help you to pursue the things you are interested in, meet new people with similar interests, and create smaller communities within the larger student body.
Obviously they are important, but it is important to remember not to get caught up in the frenzy. When it comes to getting involved on campus the key is to not spread yourself too thin. Find a couple things you are especially passionate about, that tie in well to your major or that you do not get to study as much as you would like academically. Then invest your time in being an active member- attend club events, suggest new ideas, or run for a position! That way you show your dedication to a few clubs and have room for upward progression within them, rather than giving limited attention to many clubs and being unable to be deeply involved with any specific one. Don’t stress, be mindful, and get started!