In addition to getting a good education, one of the major benefits of being a college student is the friendships you’ll establish with your classmates. However, the demands of being a post-secondary student can be incredibly time consuming. Most often, this leaves students with very little time to devote to socializing.
On the other hand, there is an alternative way students can meet new people without infringing upon their studies. This involves them joining a campus club.
At Hocking College there are more than 20 different on-campus organizations students can get involved in. Whether you’re interested in rekindling a favorite hobby, exploring the natural beauty of Southeast Ohio or giving back to the community, you’re bound to find a club at Hocking that will help you connect with other students who share your interests.
Besides making new friends, joining a campus club will benefit you in the following manners:
1. Sharpens Your people skills
College is usually the first time that students are without parents or long-time friends, so joining a club can be really beneficial in the sense that students learn to branch out and make new friends again.
These types of groups are also beneficial because college will bring together a more diverse group of people, meaning students will learn about how to interact with different cultures.
2. Develops your team work skills
Whoever said "Team work makes the dream work," wasn't kidding. When students work together in a club, they inadvertantly develop their teamwork skills that look great on a resume.
3. Gives you Opportunities to network
Depending on your field, joining a campus club that relates to your degree will put you in a great position to network with those in the same industry as you. Be sure to connect with everyone you meet on a networking site, such as LinkedIn, to ensure that you can reach back out if you're ever looking for a job or reference.
4. Enhances your resume
One of the best reasons to join a campus club is to build your resume. Employers love to see that you were involved in things outside of the classroom.
According to a Forbes article by Matt Symonds, "When it comes down to the wire, dedication to volunteerism and/or interesting activities might make the difference."
5. Establishes a support system
When moving away to college, you're not only leaving behind your family and friends, but also your support system. Joining a club will allow you to bond with new people and establish a support system right on campus.
6. Better balance of work & play time
Balancing your time between work and play is an important skill for students to learn before entering the workforce. According to the Australian Institute for Business, having a work-life balance leads to fewer burnouts, fewer health problems, and when you are at work, you are more focused and productive.
7. Enjoy a Break from your studies
According to research available from the Learning Corner at Oregon State, studies indicate that students should take a break from studying after about 45-60 minutes of deep concentration or between subjects.
8. Decreases your stress levels
Socialization is an important component of stress reduction and because humans are social-beings, it is crucial that college students find some way to socialize on campus whether through a student club, study group, intramural sports, etc.
9. Make a difference in the community
Some clubs have the ability to impact the community through volunteerism and/or community events. If you like making a difference, then joining the right club will allow you to get that feel-good feeling.
Which club is right for you?
Currently there are more than 20 campus clubs to choose from at Hocking College. So how can you tell which club is right for you? A good way to find out is by taking the this BuzzFeed quiz to see which organization fits your personality.
