Clubs, organizations offer valuable experiences

With 617 student organizations offered at Purdue, there are very few excuses for not getting involved.

There are activities-a-plenty for students to become involved with. These activities, however, aren't only for the students who have been here for several semesters.

In fact, there are several clubs that are designed for new students.

Incoming freshmen should take advantage of the many diverse and different clubs and organizations that are offered. Sitting in your dorm room isn't going to make you any friends. Spending your day in isolation isn't going to improve your future resume either.

The student activities office even maintains a group of staffers who are dedicated to finding the right club/organization/activity with each student. You might not know what the group or groups are for you to become involved with, but this staff has experience in flushing out students' interests.

Further, get involved with more than one group. Sure, a full load of classes can be overwhelming when you first arrive to Purdue. But, once you get your routine down and have adequately budgeted your time (which is to say you should budget time for organizations), balancing all of your daily chores and activities isn't difficult at all.

You should expand yourself. Sure, you should become involved with a group that interests you. But don't handcuff yourself. Don't limit your options only to things you have done in the past. Of course becoming involved with things you are already experienced in will help your transition and may be the easiest choice, but no one ever said college was easy. You should make it a point to challenge yourself while at college. Purdue offers you the tools with which to do just that.

Find a club or society that interests you a little and look into it. It might be the best choice you'll make in your college career.

Lifelong friendships aren't made in your ENGL 101 class; they are made in organizations where groups of students share similar interests with you.

Resumes aren't improved by playing Sony Playstation all day in the air-conditioned comfort of your dorm room. They become impressive when you diversify yourself and become involved.

Valuable leadership experience can be gained by simply jumping on the opportunities that are available to everyone.

When you first arrive on campus, you are going to see a lot of booths and fairs with virtually every student-run organization offering literature about why you should become a member of their club. You'll be bombarded with pamphlets, handshakes and free gifts. Keep everything you receive. Read up on the organizations and make an educated decision on which club(s) is right for you.

If you still don't find any club that interests you, then do it yourself. Yes, start your own organization and recruit members that share your passion. With some 37,000 Purdue students, you're likely to find someone who shares your interest, no matter how bizarre your parents might think it is.

The point is, become involved. You are more than just a nameless, faceless student on this campus. Student organizations shape the Purdue community and everyone should become involved with that.

Editorial Board: Keith Thomas, Kurt Esposito, Jamie Teibel, Ian Clift, Anna Herkamp

The Exponent gives students information, experience

Students can make their voices heard through letters to the editor

Clubs, organizations offer valuable experiences

OPINIONS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 256