It took me a while to decide what I wanted to gain from college. Besides just working, I wondered what would give me the edge to stand out after graduation, and how I could make the most of my free time. I realized I needed to find clubs that would serve me with fulfilling experiences in the long run.
In high school, I made the mistake of not taking full advantage of the unique opportunities my school had to offer, and I swore not to make that same mistake in college. That being said, here is a list of clubs I considered joining or am already a member of.
- Knights Damsels Dance Company
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I joined KDDC as a sophomore, looking for a familiar creative outlet—and it became exactly that for me. Through KDDC, I found my fam, my big, my sib, and eventually my own little.
Although I’m not as active as I’d like to be, I still get to participate as a general member in the end-of-semester showcase, masterclasses, photoshoots, and club-wide socials. You can choose your level of time commitment, and the women in the club are incredibly friendly and amazing to be around.
@knightsdamsels via Instagram - Sigma Alpha Iota
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As someone interested in music and pursuing a music minor, I became familiar with the small Greek chapters existing within the music department. Although I have never interacted with anyone in this chapter directly, the mission of this sorority is pretty similar to the ones you would find in a Panhellenic community, except the focus is on music.
@sai.zetatau via Instagram - Figure Skating Club
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I didn’t even realize we had a figure skating club until I looked into it! I have a couple of friends who were involved in the sport, and I’ve always wanted to try it since it’s essentially a blend of dance and swimming. But because it’s so expensive, I never seriously pursued it. I do love a good free skate, though. The club also competes and is now an official UCF sport club.
- Knights Records
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Knights Records is a relatively new club on campus made up of music-minded students and entertainment management majors. It’s a space where artists—both local and student—can get signed, while those interested in the management side of the industry gain hands-on experience and collaborate with others.
@knightsrecordsucf via Instagram - UCF Choir Community
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As a music minor, one of the requirements I had to fulfill was an upper-level course in an ensemble. With my busy schedule, I did not have time to audition for one of the more competitive choirs, so I joined UCF’s Soprano Alto chorus. The women I was surrounded by are incredibly passionate, and I learned a lot about working in an ensemble, and being in a choir again was something I enjoyed deeply.
@singingknights via Instagram - Club Cheer
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In another universe, I continued my cheerleading career. I still miss it a lot, but I didn’t do it for a long enough time to be confident enough to join the club. There are a couple of teams, some of which focus on sideline cheer (the kind you are likely to see at football and basketball games) and competitive cheer (it’s exactly what it sounds like). The teams are co-ed, just like UCF’s own cheer team, and there are levels for everyone based on your prior experience.
@clubcheerucf via Instagram - Zeta Phi Eta
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The Beta Iota Chapter of Zeta Phi Eta is based right here at UCF. It’s a professional fraternity focused on the creative arts and sciences, with membership offered through a rush process typically held in the fall and spring. If you’re a creative interested in Greek life but don’t feel drawn to the traditional, stereotypical fraternity or sorority experience, this could be a great option for you.
@zetaphietaucf via Instagram - Delta Sigma Pi
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This is the only organization on this list that isn’t inherently artistic in nature, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Delta Sigma Pi is a professional business fraternity focused on community service and a commitment to excellence. Students of any major are welcome to rush in the spring or fall, though it may be easier to receive a bid if your major has a business focus. UCF is home to the fraternity’s Theta Sigma chapter.
@dspucf via Instagram - Campus Activities Board (CAB)
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UCF’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) is responsible for all of the major events that occur on campus. They are responsible for Pegasus Palooza Week in the fall and UCFest in the spring. There are several committees to join, ranging from cinema, comedy, concerts, fine arts, impact, marketing, and special events. If you are someone who is looking to break into the event industry, then CAB is for you.
@ucf_cab via Instagram - Her Campus
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Of course, I had to mention Her Campus! This organization has changed my college experience on so many levels. I’ve been supported by so many intelligent women, connected with people who share my interests, and have done campaigns with exclusive brands. Joining HerCampus is one of the best decisions I have ever made, and if you’re interested in working in media, writing, or photography, check us out!
@hercampusucf via Instagram
I am grateful that I got to experience a few of these clubs so far, and maybe I will work on some more before I graduate, but I am able to say that I am quite fulfilled with my college experience through my clubs.
Of course, you can also explore other artistic clubs on campus using our online database, KnightConnect. Here, you can find upcoming events hosted on campus, student-run organizations of any kind (academic, social, cultural, etc.), and more!