Getting Involved on Campus: What Student Organizations Should You Join?
/
Getting Involved on Campus: What Student Organizations Should You Join?
When Isabella arrived on campus, she was excited to meet new people and discover more about herself and her new home. She knew that academics would take up a lot of her time but she didn’t want to miss out on campus life outside of the classroom.
She’d seen the movies. Wild parties and red Solo cups. That wasn’t the overall college experience she was after, though. Her eyes were on the prize: getting into a top graduate school. Even with her scholarship, Isabella understood the price tag of her education, and she had no intention of wasting the experience.
To get started on the right foot, Isabella decided to meet with her campus director of student life & activities. There, she received advice that could and would change her entire trajectory, helping to shape her campus experience and illuminate a pathway to reach her goals.
One key piece of advice Isabella received was that many enriching opportunities were available and happening all around her! And when a student is actively involved in campus life, they develop a crucial sense of belonging that contributes to higher overall retention rates.
💡 College co-curricular activities and clubs are a fantastic way to build new connections outside of the classroom! The breadth of experiences is limitless -- from hobbies & interests, social activities, fitness, philanthropy, and religion, to culture & affinity groups, academics, pre-professional organizations and beyond, there’s truly something for everyone!
💥 By getting involved in a student organization on campus, Isabella learned that she will benefit in a variety of ways. She will build new friendships and expand her network, explore her interests with like-minded peers, develop leadership skills, feel connected to her campus, and enhance her resume.
To become actively engaged in campus life, Isabella just needed to get started by exploring these opportunities and see what fit.
Isabella’s goal was simple: Find and join at least one group on campus!
That said, with 300+ student organizations on her campus, Isabella felt somewhat overwhelmed when she scanned the busy events calendar and sprawling list of clubs. A great way to get started, her student life director advised, was to learn more about the clubs and organizations on campus.
Some ways to do this include:
Browsing clubs on your campus app or student org directory
Checking out events on campus
Attending an in-person or virtual involvement fair
Speaking with student life and res life staff and other students
So, what student organizations are right for you?
If you, like Isabella, would like to get more involved on campus and are wondering where to start, we’ve got you covered! Take a look at our list of different types of organizations on campus and see what could be the perfect fit for you!
If you would like to be a leader 🚀
Taking on a leadership role on campus is a fantastic opportunity to build real-world, resume-building skills. Fortunately, colleges are a goldmine of enriching leadership development opportunities for students!
You might consider participating in the student government association, getting involved in a club or sports team, volunteering, pursuing a passion project, or serving as a residence hall advisor, student ambassador, orientation leader, or peer mentor to incoming students. There is no shortage of opportunities to lead in a campus community.
If you would like to give back to the community 🙌
Volunteering during college empowers students to make meaningful new connections and learn skills to advance their career. Students who volunteer feel happier and healthier, and strengthen ties to the community.
The good news is that there are many ways to make a difference in your local community! Check out what community service and social justice groups & opportunities are around you. Look into charitable organizations in your community and browse campus events.
If you like working with kids, get involved with youth organizations or sign up as a tutor for children in need.
Politically-motivated? Sign up to volunteer on a campaign that aligns with your ideals and goals.
Love traveling? Look into Alternative Spring Break trips for a globe-trotting adventure with lasting impact!
If you would like to get active 💪
You don’t have to be a star athlete to join teams or play sports with fellow classmates! Many team and club sports are available, both competitive or non-competitive.
Explore intramural programs, tour fitness facilities such as the recreation center, pool, gym, courts and studios. Check out the schedule of classes and events such as holiday fun runs, morning bootcamps or yoga on the quad. Love the outdoors? See what your school’s hiking club or outdoor adventure club is up to! This may open up doors to a fun winter ski trip or mountain-climbing excursion off campus.
If you would like to dive deeper into your academic experience 📚
Want to expand on course lessons and learning outside of the classroom? Get involved with organizations in your academic department, major or discipline of focus!
This type of involvement can help you to build strong relationships with your classmates and faculty. You will expand your network and perspective on issues related to your professional goals and areas of interest. These connections and experiences can be invaluable when it comes to applying for jobs or graduate school programs.
Love creating content? Check out your school’s media and publication groups, campus-wide newspaper, radio, TV & film offices for opportunities and openings.
Browse pre-professional (e.g., pre-med, pre-law, business student association) and academic groups related to your interests to jumpstart your future career!
If you would like to explore culture & identity 🌎
Diversity in college matters because different perspectives allow students to learn from one another. Affinity clubs offer more worldviews for students to consider, engage with, and shape their ideas.
Joining a cultural organization, or participating in their events, can also help a student who feels underrepresented to know they are supported, integral members of the campus community.
Check out groups and events on your campus hosted by student-led affinity clubs. Keep in mind, you don’t need to be of Indian heritage to attend your school’s South Asian club-hosted Diwali event. You will learn, appreciate and benefit from your peers while broadening your perspective.
Tip: Studying abroad is another opportunity for students to develop skills that a classroom cannot provide. 🗺️ As your explore foreign places and cultures and see breathtaking sights, you will expand your worldview, make friends around the world, learn more about yourself, discover new strengths, push your own boundaries and, of course, enhance your resume and future career opportunities.
If you would like to support the LGBTQIA+ Community 🏳️🌈
Many campuses have support organizations and a dedicated resource center for LGBTQIA+ students and allies. These organizations and activities are designed to explore, educate, celebrate and support populations with specific shared identities and experiences.
Find out about your school’s programming, resources and opportunities to participate as a group member or peer mentor. Sign up to attend a safe space workshop, or actively listen to classmates & share your perspective in a discussion or support group.
If you would like to Go Greek 👐
If your campus has an active Greek Life community, consider joining a fraternity or sorority. Fellow introvert? Don’t be scared off by films - there are all kinds of Greek Life organizations, both social and service-based in their culture and activities.
One thing you can be sure of is a collective focus on academics, leadership, community service and camaraderie among their core values. The only way to discover a great fit is to meet members of these communities, so we encourage you to attend a Greek fair and meet some new and potentially lifelong friends!
If you would like to connect with student veterans & military allies 🎖️
Whether you are a serviceperson, veteran or ally, military-connected students will want to explore organizations on campus that are committed to supporting those who served in the armed forces. These groups actively educate the campus and local community and improve methods and resources on how to better serve the student veteran population.
Active participation in a veterans organization helps you to make important connections within your local community. Seasoned members will also have the opportunity to serve as peer mentors to incoming and prospective student vets. Imagine what impact you could have mentoring students who are navigating the transition from military to campus life!
If you would like to gain work experience 💼
Student employment on campus can be a wonderful opportunity to build your professional skills and meet other students in your area of interest. On-campus jobs generally offer convenient part-time hours to fit your schedule, too.
A graphic design student, for example, would be a great fit for campus departments in need of high-quality design work for their programming. A Kinesiology major, or any student pursuing a degree in health and physical education, could expand upon classroom learning by working at campus fitness facilities or the recreation center.
Tip for school administrators: Centralize on-campus employment opportunities on a centralized job board to make it easy for students to browse and apply to positions of interest.
If you would like to find performance opportunities 🎶🎭💃🏾
Explore performing arts on your campus! Attend events and browse groups that provide opportunities to refine your artistic talents. From marching band to smaller ensembles, to choral groups and theater programs, dance groups and more, there are many ways to be the shining star you are, and to connect with other student artists in meaningful ways! 💫
If you would like to explore your spirituality 🙏
Most campuses offer campus ministries and student organizations with a focus on a variety of denominations. Getting involved in campus ministry groups can help many students to feel safe, loved, and important.
If you are interested in building relationships and joining an environment with a family atmosphere, this could be a great option! Campus ministries often provide leadership and volunteering opportunities to their members, a rewarding experience for any student (and a boost to help a resume stand out).
and If you just want to have some fun 🤔😁😛
Not every activity needs to have a goal-oriented purpose beyond pure enjoyment. With a heavy schedule of classes, reading assignments, essays and finals, it’s super important to make time to relax, decompress, or indulge in a fun activity that has nothing to do with your studies.
On your campus, there are others who share your hobbies and interests, so be sure to consider joining a group related to them to help find these new connections! Anime club, quidditch, superheroes, comic books, crafting, film appreciation, culinary adventures, or even underwater hockey… if there isn’t an RSO dedicated to your special interest, there’s no reason you shouldn’t start one!
Still not sure what to pick?
If you are still feeling overwhelmed, talk to the folks in your student life & activities department, your res life staff, academic advisor and upperclassmen. They may have some great suggestions for you! If you have an idea for a new Registered Student Organization, be sure to bring it up. Student-led clubs are created and managed by students, and that means you! Unlock your inner leader and start something new! Student Life departments have many resources to guide and help you run your group. 💙
Another tip: Browse events in your school’s campus-wide event calendar. On most campuses, there are many enriching events happening around you! Sign up and regularly attend activities that pique your interests. You may discover a new passion, interest or opportunity to get more involved. If nothing else, you will create some wonderful memories and make some new friends along the way!
As for Isabella, she wanted to turn her passion for Latin American history and culture into a career. Thinking about her big picture goals, a few opportunities sparked her interest: a part-time job working in the library archives and a volunteer opportunity in a local museum. She also reached out to group officers to learn more about her school’s Historical Society, Spanish Club, Latin American Leadership Society and Lambda Theta Alpha, her school’s chapter of the national Latina-based sorority.
Now it’s your turn! We encourage all students to discover ways to get involved in their campus communities, and we are proud to help support campus leaders connect and engage their students with life-changing opportunities. 💙
Pick one. It could change everything.
Are you a campus leader interested in learning more about managing student organizations and events on your campus on a centralized platform? Please feel welcome to reach out to us to chat with a CampusGroups product expert. We’d love to hear about your campus!
