Tips for Choosing Extracurricular Activities to Enrich your College Experience

Photo Courtesy: Catalina Gracia Saavedra

It’s often said that college is what you make it to be. If you’re interested in putting forth your best effort to grow your circle of friends and participate in things that matter, try extracurricular activities such as clubs.

Even the smallest colleges usually have some options, and you can often find something that fits with your program of study. For example, if you’re taking business courses in an effort to someday operate your own company, you might be able to find a club for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Know What’s Out There

Bulletin board postings are one of the easiest ways to learn about the types of extracurricular activities that are available. A college campus usually has designated areas where representatives from student clubs can post flyers about upcoming meetings or events, and there are often rules in place about how long the postings can stay up before they’ll be removed. This ensures that you’ll get the most current information, and also that each club has an equal opportunity to spread the word.

Also, check to see if your place of study has a particular day where you can go and meet with people from different clubs all at once. These events are usually heavily promoted to incoming freshmen who might be struggling to find worthwhile ways to spend their time.

Dive Right In

Once you’ve picked out a few clubs or groups that interest you, try to participate in their events fully, even during the first few that you attend. When you’re asked to introduce yourself to the other members, do so willingly, and seize any networking opportunities. Ideally, you’ll get involved with clubs that blend fun activities with things that align with your progress towards a degree. Ask questions and get involved with planning upcoming events. Full participation makes it easier for you to decide whether you want to continue being a member of the club, or if you’d rather look elsewhere.

Even if you don’t think the organization is a good fit for you, give yourself at least a few weeks to decide. Wait until you’ve taken the time to meet a few people and learn what the club is all about. Once you’ve definitely decided that you don’t want to continue participating, make a clean break. When you’re not giving it your all, it’s frustrating for the current members.

Put it on your Resume

Once you’ve become involved with a club and know that you want to stick with it, make a note of the date you joined and list your participation on your resume. This is an especially important thing to do if the extracurricular activity is related to a career that you’re pursuing. Even if it’s not, your active participation will help you develop skills that will make you a more marketable member of the business sector.

Any sort of group activity requires you to work as part of a team to achieve common goals. Sometimes you might have to work with people that you don’t agree with, just as if you were in a corporate office environment or managing employees at your own business.

Clubs and organizations can give you the tools to thrive during your college experience, and network with others. Maintaining your ability to reach out to others is essential, particularly in the business world. Start honing this trait today.

Gloria Pickett writes for education blogs where you can learn more about Bachelor of Business Administration Courses.