10 Ways to Get Involved on a New Campus
For some people, it is hard adjusting to a new place with unfamiliar people. Getting involved on campus is a great way to break out of your shell and become comfortable with your “second home.” Here's how you can do it:
Community Service
If you are like me, and you love volunteering, participating in community service at your school should be lots of fun. This is also a great way to connect with other students that love it as much as you do.
Join a Fraternity or Sorority
Joining a frat or sorority is something lots of students look forward to. It’s a way to make fast friends, bond, take part in activities and social events, and make long-lasting relationships.
Find an On-Campus Job
College students are always in need of money. So instead of having to travel off campus to work, why not work on-campus? Having an on-campus job will let you learn more about your campus services, and you can make connections with faculty and other students involved. On-campus jobs are also good resume builders.
Join an Intramural Sports Team
Not only is this a good way to meet new friends, but joining an intramural sports team is good exercise, too! You also don’t have to worry about being a pro at the team you choose, since it’s just a way to have fun. You can play everything from basketball to ultimate Frisbee to dodgeball.
Attend Lectures and Performances
Most colleges bring in speakers to discuss topics based on your school, things you can do to make the most out of your college experience, and other helpful tips. Don’t hesitate going along. There is always a chance you may meet someone with the same goals and interests as you.
Attend Social Events
Campus organizations will plan social events for anyone to attend. These can include dances, crafts, and movie nights. Most of them are usually themed or holiday-related. If you enjoy it, you could even apply to be a part of the organization that put the event together.
Help Out with Residence Life
Want to help students who are just like you? Become part of the resident staff in the dorms, and be the support system for students who need help finding their way. This is a good way to make connections, and great leadership experience that you can put on your resume, as well.
Join Organizations Within Your Major
Getting involved with an organization within your major can help you focus on your career path. You will learn valuable lessons that you can take back to class and throughout your career. Being involved in an organization related to your major looks good on your resume, especially if you fill a leading position. This is also a really good way to meet other students in your major.
Join Student Government
Finally, become a part of the student government to really have a say and understand how things are done on your campus. Your school — and future employers — will appreciate that you had a voice in certain decisions that are made.
Stay Alert
Always pay attention to announcements from your professors, the school paper, organizations, and bulletin boards. They can include interesting and informative information that may be helpful for you, especially when wanting to get involved around campus. Whenever I see an interesting event I want to attend, I put the day and time into the calendar on my phone, and set a notification. This is a good way to keep everything organized especially if you are very busy.