It’s that lovely time of the year again, collegiettes. The UGA Winter Activities fair has just surpassed us, giving many students plenty of ideas and insight into the types of programs and activities that they would like to get involved with this semester. Student organizations serve as a gateway for many students, especially freshman, to get to know other people and make friends. However, some of us tend to go overboard when it comes to getting involved—making commitments to countless activities causing us to get overwhelmed mid-semester. So before you sign off on every single listserv that you see, check out these tips on how to get involved on campus without getting too involved.
1. Think about the things that you’re interested in.
Where do you see your career in the next few years? What’s your major? When considering which clubs to join, the smartest thing to do is to think about what types of things interest you the most. When using an experience like this to get to know other students, there’s no better way to do it than to be around people who share the same interests that you do. So try and find an activity that caters to the types of things that you love to do instead of just trying something just because it’s there.
2. Contemplate what you can gain from your experiences.
Every club on campus caters to different things; whether you’re looking for community service, leadership experience, or just something fun to do that will keep you occupied. A lot of clubs can help students to gain experience in their potential career paths and are really great items to put on a college resume. So if you have an interest in fashion, maybe you can join the Student Merchandising Association, or if you like to write and blog, consider joining HerCampus. *wink, wink* Whatever activity you decide on, it can play as a great help in getting an idea of the types of tasks you’ll be completing once you step out into the real world.
3. Create a balance.
A common mistake among plenty of college students is trying to do too many things at once. It’s great that so many students want to get involved and actually be a part of things on campus, but taking on too many responsibilities and commitments at one time can serve as a distraction from the one thing that we all even come to college for: an education! So try your best to make time for yourself and make sure that, among the many activities you’ve decided to throw yourself into, you’re getting enough time to relax and think straight.
4. Stick to your commitments!
Once you’ve found what’s right for you, stick to it! Since the college experience is about networking and getting to know people, let people know that you’re reliable and that once you’ve made a commitment to something, you’ll follow through.