MEC Clubs

5 Reasons Why You Should Join a Student Club or Organization

Involve yourself with what’s going on on campus and make new friends through a student organization! They often offer leadership opportunities, learning experiences, and environments to network with professionals. Here are five great benefits of joining student clubs or organizations:

1. Better Grades and Time Management

While you may think that keeping up with your classes is going to be too much, think again. Joining a student club or organization can give you great skills in balancing your time. Because you will have other projects or deadlines to complete outside of the ones for your classes, you will learn how to create this balance between involvement and school, while still leaving free time for yourself to do other activities you enjoy. Studies show that working about 20 hours a week or less can actually raise your GPA, so get involved! Don't forget to schedule an appointment with the Counseling and Advising Office to get your academic questions answered: 

• Counseling and Advising
  

2. Networking or Socializing

One of the benefits of joining student club or organization is being able to network with others with similar interest or learning about other people. Networking is highly important in our world today and can help you achieve your goals. This is the perfect time to expand your network and work on those socializing skills. 

3. Experience

Maybe you weren’t involved in anything during high school, so you’re looking to gain experience working with others or planning events in college. Student clubs or organizations can give you just that. Depending on the kind of club or organization you are looking to join, you can gain a ton of valuable experience. Employers don’t only look at the grades you received in classes you took. They also want to see what you do outside of the classroom. The experience that comes with coordinating a huge, on-campus event can be used in the real world beyond college. If you want an extra experience outside of your major classes, you could potentially join a student club or organization tied to your major. Take a look at all the other student clubs or to join CR student government: 

• Associated Student of CR (ASCR) 

4. Community

Joining a student club or organization is an easy, quick way to meet people. Starting college can be scary, and dipping your toes in a student club or organization can help you transition to college life. Look at student organizations that actually interest you; they will be full of other people with the same interests. If you’re nervous about how to go about talking to new people, don’t worry! Lots of organizations facilitate icebreakers early on when new students join. If the club really is something you’re interested in, it’ll be easy to talk about with other members. Because most organizations meet a few times a month, you’ll be able to make friends fast and build a community. Visit the website of the many support programs and services we have for you: 

• Disability Services and Programs for Students (DSPS)
• Veterans Resource Center (VRC)
• TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

Besides all of the real-world skills you can get from a student club or organization, you can also have a lot of fun! The other members will become some of your closest friends and biggest supporters all while you get to do something you love. Seeing hundreds or thousands of students attending an event you helped put on can be the best feeling in the world. Whether it’s a campus activities club, a big fundraiser for your favorite charity, or a food tasting event, you can make new memories. Visit the Athletics page to see all the sports fun: 

Athletics Department

Currently in a student club or organization, or interested in joining one? There's something for everyone!

Extended Opportunity Programs and Services/ Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (EOPS/CARE)