Picture this:
Fall Clubs fair, September 2017. A first-year student frantically running around trying to amass as many fliers, and sign up for as many clubs, as possible.
Fast forward a month. Same student feeling overwhelmed by midterms and other commitments. Fliers describing all the various clubs and organisations still sitting on the same spot on her desk as they were a month before, barely touched.
This was me, a little over a year ago.
In the excitement of trying to get involved with as many activities as possible, it can be easy to eventually feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount available. Clubs Fair is a great way to explore all the possibilities that the U of A has to offer. Often times, however, the clubs and organisations that I have actually ended up falling in love with were the ones I joined after I did some research of my own (though BearsDen, for example), instead of in an overambitious frenzy. By the time the January clubs fair rolled around, I had learnt from my mistakes and took my time when it came to joining new clubs.
That’s how I came across Students for Literacy; when I discovered a volunteering program where I would get the chance to make meaningful connections with children who liked to read, as well as help foster their interest and skill in reading, I was sold.
After a rigorous interview process, the next step was a training session where we were taught the skills we would need to be as helpful to the learners as possible, as well as instructed on how to react best in various scenarios. We also got to meet some other co-volunteers before hand which was useful.
A week later, I could officially start volunteering at any venue of my choice. I chose a public library, but you also have the option to volunteer with children in schools and kindergartens, working with learners in programs such as homework clubs and reading circles, to name a few.
Volunteering at my reading circle has been an amazing chance to help learners achieve their goals and potential, as well as develop skills in teaching and working with children.
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