One of the “side effects” of college is being exposed to things that you may not have been exposed to previously.  It is also a chance for you to gain interest in things that you may not have previously had an interest. Your campus will offer a variety programs and activities.  You should challenge yourself to attend at least one program in each category per year or at least one each before you graduate. There will be plethora of things to choose from: plays, symposiums, concerts, parties, lectures, athletic events, novelties, comedians, musicals, dance recitals, art gallery showings, and the list goes on and on. Even if you are not extremely intellectual, not the artsy type, or do not understand the plays in football, still attend an event at least once. This the time when you be able to support your classmates, meet new people and gain exposure to unknown territory for free or relatively cheaply. Students gain admission into many university sponsored events for free, at a special rate, or they receive a discount.

Going out and trying new things, being exposed to the unknown is what helps make you well-rounded and “cultured”.  Enjoy the talented peers you have in your class, you never know what will become of them and how your paths may cross in the future.  In addition to making you a better-rounded person, these activities give you something to do.  Activities occur throughout the school year and are usually planned so there is not much overlap with programs being scheduled at the same time.  You can usually find a master calendar with most events on the school’s homepage and then there are departmental (Dance, Music, Athletics, etc.) calendars available with events as well. Most events are planned well in advance some as early as the beginning of the semester.

Not sure where to get started? Stop by the Student Activities office and ask what is happening on campus.  Enjoy the challenge and attend as many programs as possible.

 The Spring semester is now (or soon) underway.  This is the perfect time to get a fresh start if things did not go the way you hoped during the Fall semester. This is also a good time to get more involved and add to your resume.  Being successful in college will require involvement in and out of the classroom.  It is important to find a balance while in school.  One cannot be consumed with just the rigors of coursework, but one must also tap into their interest, develop their leadership skills, and strengthen their social skills. Getting involved is essential to the college experience. 

If you were unsuccessful last semester at getting involved, make an effort to join an organization this semester.  Many organizations engage in Spring recruitment and are actively seeking new members.  Look for flyers and posters on campus promoting organization fairs and other outlets to get involved. If your school does not offer a fair or if you have missed the fair, you should consider researching the university’s student activities website.  The website should offer you a list of all active organizations on campus and provide contact information. Simply state your interest in the group and inquire about future meetings and events. 

Spring semester is a good time to get your feet wet, with student ran organizations, but it is also a good time to prepare for the next school year.  Spring is where leaders are selected for the next school year.  This is a good time to decide how you would like to bring change to the university, how you would like to leave your mark, and how to shape your experience.  Student government is a great way to make an impact on the campus, academic organizations are a great way to make an impact on the department, and special interest groups are a great way to impact your individual interest.  All options serve as a great way to improve your college experience, leadership skills, and ability to balance commitments. 

Of course you can be successful in college without being involved in organizations and of course being too involved can cause you to not be successful.  The key to optimizing the college experience is to find balance within your weekly routine.  All class and no play does not help you develop life skills that will be needed in future social and professional settings, while all play does not help develop you academically; finding balance is the key.