Every college tour guide will be over the moon to boast about their campus’s extracurriculars. I’m pretty sure it’s an unofficial national competition to see which school can produce the most student orgs. But with so many options, how can you possibly know which ones to choose?
I remember how overwhelmed I felt walking through the hundreds of clubs tabling at my college’s annual Mega Fair. Despite my research of all of the on-campus organizations, I felt completely unprepared. There were simply too many people to talk to and too many email lists to sign up for. I was at a loss.
That’s where my orientation leader’s advice saved me. He said, “Join three clubs: one that helps you with your future career, one that keeps you active, and one that makes you happy.” While I didn’t necessarily mean to follow his advice, two years later, I now find myself in three extracurriculars that just so happen to perfectly align with the blueprint he gave me.
If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. Even though it might not have always been intentional, following the three clubs rule has given me a well-rounded, manageable, and enriching college experience. I can honestly attest that three clubs is the sweet spot for students who want to get involved but still put academics first.
Benefits of joining a student org
As my orientation leader so kindly pointed out, there are many different reasons for wanting to join a student org. And the best part is, chances are there’s something out there that’s perfect for you. What’s most important is that you’re simply getting involved and putting yourself out there.
The biggest benefit of joining a club (at least in the early days of college) is meeting new people. If the org is open to everyone, chances are that you’ll be exposed to other students from all different grades and backgrounds who you might never have met otherwise. Plus, you’ll be meeting people who share a common interest with you, which is always a great way to form meaningful friendships.
Outside of making new friends, what you get out of club membership largely depends on what type of org you find yourself in. To give you a better idea of what different clubs can offer you, I’ve compiled my favorite student org examples and experiences from my three years at college. Hopefully, you’ll be able to see yourself in one of these extracurricular areas!
Clubs that help with your future career
Certain orgs focus on career-related outcomes and will look awesome on your resume. They’re easy and fun ways to network with other students going into the same field as you. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your future business partner at your next club meeting!
Some of the most popular career-based clubs are business fraternities (also called B-frats). Unlike a stereotypical fraternity, all genders are welcome to join B-frats. Generally, these organizations operate similarly to other Greek organizations with a sort of pledging/interview process and requirements like service hours, event attendance, and lots of leadership opportunities.
There are also other professional fraternities or similar organizations for most majors. For example, there are pre-med, pre-law, architecture, and engineering fraternities out there. Some of these groups also have offshoots that are identity-specific. I have a good friend who’s involved in Women in Business, for instance.
Don’t worry if you don’t feel you fit into one of these fraternities! There are plenty of clubs that cater to liberal arts majors, too. Most campuses offer activities like a student-run newspaper, student government, and theater programs that provide real-life experience and growth opportunities.
If none of these options sound good to you, that’s okay! Remember that getting a job, internship, or research position is also equally (if not more) beneficial to your long-term career plans. You don’t necessarily need to join a club. Any sort of involvement is great!
Clubs that keep you active
Another big pro for joining a club is the opportunity to stay physically active. Since college-level sports are super competitive nowadays, club and intramural athletics are fantastic ways to stay fit. Many people who played sports in high school continue them at a more casual level in college. Other people, like me, might try out a completely new sport and fall in love with it. College orgs accommodate way more levels of competition than high school teams, often offering beginner-friendly options.
What I found most exciting about club and intramural sports in college was the sheer number of them. There were so many options that weren’t offered at my high school, such as Quidditch, paintball, rugby, rowing, rock climbing, pickleball, broomball, and handball (among many others.) As I mentioned earlier, with so many different choices, it’s easy to branch out from what you’re familiar with. It’s very common to pick up something you’ve never tried before, so don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone!
There are also other ways to get some good exercise in without joining a specific sport. Some groups at my university that offer a more casual fitness setting include a girls’ lifting group, running clubs, dance groups, an outdoor activity club, and an overall wellness group.
My biggest piece of advice here is that staying active, in whatever way you choose, will help immensely with not only your physical health, but your mental health, too. I always find that going to practice after a long day of school allows me to take a step back from my stress and just enjoy life.
Clubs that make you happy
Finally, clubs allow you to pursue even the most niche of your interests. The tour guides aren’t lying when they tell you there’s something out there for everyone. Whether it’s the reptile society, bad movie review board, or squirrel-watching club, there’s bound to be a group that piques your interest.
Freshman year, I joined the Taylor Swift Society where we watched her music videos and made friendship bracelets. And again, if you don’t see something you like, most schools are super receptive to the creation of new clubs.
Personally, the activity that I currently place into this “for fun” category is my sorority. I’ve gotten to know so many wonderful girls while also giving back to my community and empowering other women.
The true purpose of this category is to make sure that your unique passions don’t get overlooked. College is the time to explore your interests and make lifelong friends. With a larger student population, you’ll be sure to find a lot of people who share your favorite things. So go nerd out, party it up, or just take care of yourself. Your well-being should always be your number one priority!
Now, get out there and get involved!
With that being said, remember that all of this is just my personal advice. You don’t need to join exactly three clubs that fit perfectly into each of the three categories. Time-wise, I’ve found that three involvements is the perfect amount for me, but everyone’s schedule and commitments are different.
There’s also a lot of overlap between categories. Most clubs can dip into the two other categories, too. Every interaction and new connection formed is a prime example of networking. If you get a leadership position in a club, even if it’s a sillier one, it’s worth throwing on your resume.
Additionally, once you get a solid group of friends, you might be more inclined to get active together. Many clubs have associated intramural sport teams where their members participate in a ton of extra team bonding. Clubs are just a good starting point for meeting people.
My main message here is that your club memberships are whatever you make of them. Don’t minimize the importance of doing what you love and pursuing your interests, even if you feel they don’t line up with the other club categories. College is a blank slate. Go ahead and throw all the paint you want at it in the beginning, and see what sticks!
