The millions of college students in the country require other things to do than study. According to experts, there are somewhere over 17 million undergraduate students in the United States. Although college students should pursue things other than their studies, this doesn’t mean that they should just spend all their nights in college parties or skipping classes. One way college students can enrich their campus life is by joining university clubs.
But what are the different types of clubs in college that students could join? Why should university students join college clubs anyway?
Learn the answers to these questions today.
What are the Types of Clubs in College?
There are plenty of different types of university clubs and organizations. Some of them are focused on helping people with their academics and some of are more geared towards recreation. Before settling for any college clubs, you may want to know what sorts of student organizations exist out there in campus.
Below are some of the most prevalent types of clubs you may encounter while you are in university. Learning about them can help you decide which one is the best fit for you.
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Academic Organizations
Unsurprisingly, many college clubs are dedicated to academic pursuits. These academic organizations exist to provide students who pursue specific courses with some form of support.
First, these student organizations sometimes offer tutoring sessions to their members. As experts noted, 28 percent of college students prefer group tutoring to solo sessions which can help make these academic organizations seem like better options.
Second, academic clubs also have extracurricular activities that foster appreciation of their focused courses. They are entertaining and enriching experiences, especially to those who are deeply passionate about their field of study. The shared experiences of everyone being in the same course also helps foster solidarity.
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Sports Clubs
One of the most popular types of clubs in college are sports clubs. Remember that these are different from college-sponsored or university teams like those that belong the NCAA.
Sports organizations are usually just enthusiasts who don’t have the money of the university behind them. They are privately organized and usually have to pay to rent equipment or premises. They don’t compete professionally, at least not in the same events like university teams. Rather they sometimes organize sporting events on their own to promote the activity or sport they prefer.
Enthusiasts usually join sports organizations to meet like-minded individuals and enjoy their sports in a non-competitive and friendly setting.
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Recreational Groups
Other organizations aren’t concerned about sporting activities or academic pursuits. Rather they exist to provide people with different hobbies or interests a chance to share thoughts and participate in fun activities.
Examples of university clubs that engage in recreational activities include book clubs, hobby gaming organizations, the whole gamut of art clubs such as theater troupes and choirs. The list of possible groups that fall under this umbrella is endless. If you enjoy a particular activity or hobby, odds are there is a group dedicated to it in your campus. There have been groups in U.S. campus for playing quidditch, appreciating different fandoms like anime shows and even building robotic gadgets.
If by some surprising chance your campus doesn’t have a university club dedicated to your preferred activity, you can always form your own.
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Community Service
Among the best types of student organizations are those dedicated to providing some sort of service to the community. Although many organizations often have charitable or altruistic activities, these are often seasonal or even annual.
Community service organizations provide their services throughout the year. As such they demand a lot of commitment and determination. However, most volunteers and members will likely find the fruits of their labor very rewarding. Examples of these types of club include groups who help build homes for the homeless, medical volunteer corps and other charitable ventures. Always remember that you must be dedicated to the cause you are joining.
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Media Clubs
Aside from the university backed publications and online channels, some clubs in college are dedicated to sharing information or entertainment. These media clubs can be self-published newspapers, college radio stations and even campus television stations. These media clubs look for scoops, mostly about events that occur in campus and publish them or air them.
There can also be organizations dedicated to media-related hobbies such as being a deejay, publishing zines or even event hosting. The possibilities are endless. However, you must remember that these don’t tend to be sprawling organizations. Membership to media clubs often requires extensive skill and determination.
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Political Organizations
Unlike in high school, the learning environment of university campuses also provide a great testing ground for political convictions and affiliations. No matter what your political slant is, odds are your campus will have a student organization that supports your belief. They most often host discussions, huddles about recent political issues and occasionally act as their political party’s representatives.
Expect to canvas for politicians that share your beliefs and even host fund-raising activities. Political university clubs can sometimes be drawn into heated debates and conflicts. If you find that your political organization is demanding too much of your time and energy, its okay to step back and focus on other things.
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Greek Organizations
Finally, the most widespread and widely known type of student groups are Greek organizations. These are the various sorority and fraternity houses that can be found in almost every university.
Fraternity houses are ostensibly a combination of charitable organization, men’s club and university club. Sororities, on the other hand, operate in basically the same way but only accept women. Fraternities are still popular options for make university students today, although recent developments in societal norms and standards have seen many people calling for the abolishment of Greek life in college campuses.
Why Should You Join a University Club?
You may be wondering why you should expend more of your energy in joining a university club when concentrating on your studies and personal life can be hectic enough. There are tangible benefits to joining an organization and you may be surprised how it can affect your employment opportunities and personal endeavors in the future.
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Make Connections
The contacts you make in your student organization can be the foundation of an extensive network you can fall back on for employment opportunities. These are often the selling point for multiple groups such as fraternities, political groups and even academic organizations. Playing the game and ensuring you are popular among people in your organization can yield excellent networking opportunities.
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Form Friendships
Aside from letting you build networks, the bonds you make in a university club can lead to lifelong friendships. This is easy because these people tend to share interests, passions and life goals with you. It can be easier to form friendships with them and you are sure to have mutual activities and life experiences.
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Explore Interests
Even if you weren’t originally an enthusiast of the activity or interest a particular college club represents, they offer a great way for you to explore them. If you weren’t invested in cycling, maybe joining a sports group of bike enthusiasts can kindle a passion for the open road. They are a great way for you to deepen your life experiences in college and make your campus life more meaningful.
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Gain Experience
Finally, university clubs can provide you with invaluable experience necessary to beef up your resume. For example, the experience you have hosting events or deejaying for your university radio station can lead to more lucrative opportunities in media or professional radio companies. Ensure your student organization has lots of activities and provides you with ample opportunities to hone your skills and increase your experience.
Whether you join them for fun, to have a more enriching experience in college or to boost your profile for employment, university clubs are a great way to make sure you spend your time in university wisely.