Even before high school, I was always involved in some kind of extracurricular activity. I was never just one to go to school for school and then return home. There was always some kind of meeting, some kind of club function or some kind of sport practice that I dedicated myself to. When I moved to Colorado to attend Colorado Mesa University, joining extracurriculars was a no-brainer.
Before I ever stepped onto campus, I was already a part of an amazing leadership group called the Student Ambassadors. I applied to be a part of this program as a senior in high school and was quickly welcomed into a family of thirty others that I would work with for the rest of my college career. The program gave me identity, helped me find my niche and got me about 100 times more comfortable and familiar with this school, compared to any other freshman coming in.
I then progressed by joining other clubs. Next thing I knew, I was involved in many different on-campus organizations. I made so many friends through these other clubs, and I became familiar with a lot of student leaders on campus. On top of it all, I always had something to do.
From regular school work to the meetings, to the event planning, to fundraiser spreadsheets, to dinners with President Foster, I had so much to do that I was never bored. Time in my day was always spent productively, and during all these activities I’ve learned a lot.
I’ve learned how to manage my time, how to communicate effectively, how to mass produce posters and flyers, how to market and design, how to follow and, most importantly, how to lead. I’ve had my ups and downs, made friends and made some not-so-friends.
If it wasn’t for my involvement, I don’t feel like I would have enjoyed my time here at all. Getting involved is always the best thing to do, especially if you find yourself in a totally new setting. I’ve only grown from these experiences, both the good and bad.
So go out there and just join something! It doesn’t matter if it’s the varsity soccer team, the ultimate frisbee intramural club, the university marching band, the sticker club or, heck, maybe even the school newspaper. Go find your niche, your team, your family. When you’re surrounded by people who are working toward the same goal, not only does it give you a place to belong, but a way to move the campus and student body forward.
It never hurts to add these activities and experiences to your resume, but it also helps you grow and mature. People don’t ever think back to the time they went to bed after class, but the traveling, the conversations and the friendships made are priceless, precious memories that involvement can provide.
