5 Reasons to Get Up and Get Involved in College
By. Kree Small
You’re in the prime of your life, rapidly approaching the “real world”, and you have the ability to learn and achieve anything you want! How will you maximize this opportunity? How will you turn a standard four-year requirement into a life-changing experience?
Getting involved during these four years is critical; it’s just as important as staying studious and passing classes. Student involvement in college teaches you skills that you’d never learn otherwise. Whether you join a club, play a sport, volunteer, or take on a campus job, there are countless benefits to getting up and getting involved.
Try something new. It allows you to seek out your passion.
We all know that one person who impulsively jumps when it’s time to try something new no matter what it is–foods, hobbies, music, etc. When it comes to finding their cup of tea, these people do not miss out because they try it all. From the campus newsletter to the Black Student Union, it’s important to try your hand at everything that even slightly piques your interest. It may be just right for you, but you’ll never know until you try!
Learn Soft Skills.
Soft skills are a combination of basic people, social, and communication skills that work with hard skills to produce a well-rounded, polished future businessman or woman. Unfortunately, soft skills only come through experience in the workforce or active community engagement. Gaining your soft skills pre-graduation is 100% necessary due to how imperative these skills are post-graduation. In order for you to land your dream job fresh out of school, you need to have these skills down pat. Fortunately, college has no shortage of opportunities to hone soft skills, especially with a heavy focus on emailing and attending meetings. Whether you participate in a club or a volunteer organization, outside interaction is required, ensuring that you step outside your comfort zone instead of talking to the same few people over and over again. By the end of your college years, you’ll also have learned listening and nonverbal communication cues, other important soft skills that will take you far in life.
Find Your “Posse”.
The beauty of college is that you create the life you want to live. From courses you take to the friends you make, you are in control. It’s easy to make friends when you’re connected by similar interests, and organizations only make it easier. Your tribe is waiting for you to join their organization, and your core friend group will be full of individuals who are equally enthusiastic about the activities that interest you. It may be an academic organization or a fun club; either way, being paired with the right people will only begin to open doors to an unforgettable college experience with friends who will become like family.
Building Character
Character is developed through our experiences and what we choose to learn from them. It’s also developed through what we choose to do with the lessons we’ve learned. Character is the few attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. Being exposed to multiple personalities, views, lifestyles and decisions on a topic you’re knowledgeable in teaches you to respect others’ perspectives and learn how to compromise and find common ground. Building a good character can assist in others looking to you as a more credible source and a more moral person. Let the work you do with your club or organization help reveal who you are, and use the experiences and lessons to build a solid character and reputation.
And don’t forget to HAVE FUN!
These four years are without a doubt a few of the most important years of your life. During these years, the world is your oyster. Create a healthy balance of responsibly attending on- and off-campus parties. Spend time making friends in other dorm buildings. Keep up with the weekly cafeteria menus and invite friends to join you for dinner. Get involved! Your experience is your own, and with the countless happenings on and off campus, there’s no reason for you to not have a fun and memorable experience that helps you fall in love with your school and the people who make it great.
The friends you have in grade school are the ones you’ve grown up with; the friends you have in college are the ones you connect with. Make connections that’ll last a lifetime.
