Academics serve as a big part of college life, but extracurricular activities also account for a major part of college life as well.  As a student you want to aim to have a well-rounded college experience. Too much emphasis on academics may not give enough attention to developing social skills and too much emphasis
on extracurricular activities may not give necessary attention to academic demands. Refer to chapter 16 of the Freshman Survival Guide for more information about getting involved, but not too involved.  College allows students the opportunity to explore interests and try new things.  Extracurricular activities are a good way to explore interests and display talents outside of the classroom.

There are hundreds of clubs and organizations to peak your interest in what extracurricular activities have to offer. Honor Societies, fraternities, sororities, special interest clubs, and academic clubs are all options that will be available to you.  Each club or organization offer different benefits for membership, but all require that you get out and network with other students.  Networking with be an important part of your extracurricular life on campus, this is how you will learn of activities and events happening on campus.

Regardless of your interest there should be a club that sparks your interest. Anime, dance, community service, racquetball, and more are all available on campus in the Student Activities office.
If you have a special interest and the club does not exist on your campus, there is a relatively simple process of starting your own club on campus.

Another way to get involved on campus is to talk with your RA.  Your RA can assist you with getting involved in the hall and residence hall complex. The residence halls offer a variety of programming and leadership opportunities.  The residence halls offer hall councils and a hall government; a place where you can program and make changes within the halls. Residents that become involved in the halls often lead to employment in the hall as an RA or front desk worker.

When graduation comes and it is time to look for job opportunities, employers look at candidates that can bring a well-rounded college experience to the table. Being well-rounded insinuates you have successfully completed the requirements of your major, you have successfully worked with others, and you have successfully participated or planned activities outside of the classroom. Employers look for a nice balance between classroom and non-classroom experiences.  To join or not join is the challenge as the new student.  Let us know what you decide.