A Guide to Getting Involved
By Marissa Kraus, journalism major
When you arrive on campus, one of the first things you’re told is to “get involved.” In my experience, that’s probably the best advice I received and advice that would instill in any incoming freshmen students, or rather anyone wanting to get involved on campus. But what does that mean? And how? As an out-of-state student, I wanted to get involved and find my community on campus, but it was scary and, quite frankly, overwhelming. However, I found that to get there, I had to actively seek opportunities to do so as well as use resources and people available to me. In doing so, I was able to find ways to get involved in different parts of campus where I have met some of my closest friends. Reflecting now as a senior, being bold and putting myself out there was intimidating at first but getting involved in the campus community has been one of the best parts of college. Here is a list of tips to get involved on campus to make the most of your Husker experience.
Tips and advice for new and current students to become involved on campus
- Learning Communities: This was the first way I got involved on campus and it truly changed my college experience in the best way possible. I was in the Media Smarts learning community where I was housed with other journalism students and had classes with them as well. I didn’t know anyone when I came to campus so this was a great way to make instant connections on campus. There are learning communities for just about any major and there’s even one for undecided majors. While learning communities are primarily for freshmen, there are opportunities to join one after your first year too. Learn more about learning communities here.
- NVolveU: This is your hub to search for and connect with UNL RSOs, or Recognized Student Organizations, and find campus events. On this platform, you can view the 100s of student organizations that the university has to offer as well as club members and contact information to provide easy communication with students. There are various categories to find what you are looking for and there is truly something for everyone!
- Club Fairs (both campus-wide and college-specific): Found some interesting RSOs on NVolveU? Look for them at a Club Fair! At the beginning of each semester, the university holds a Club Fair which is a fantastic way to connect with RSOs face-to-face. Club members are there to answer your questions and get you informed on upcoming meetings. I also want to note that most colleges hold their own club fairs as well, which is a great way to get to know your classmates and ways to get involved within your major.
- Look for flyers and use your resources: Another easy way to find ways to get involved is by looking out for flyers in campus buildings like the Union or Love Library, or even in-residence halls. These can easily be overlooked but just might help you find your next campus event. Along the same lines, asking professors, faculty and staff about ways to get involved is an easy way to find RSOs that might interest you. They can provide insight into what certain RSOs are like or who to ask on campus in a certain subject area. They are here to help you so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Fitness classes: Another great way to get involved in campus life and meet new people is through the Rec Center, which offers fitness classes and intramural sports. There are so many options for fitness classes and just about every sport you can think of. As a student you get access to these classes, activities, and communities that you wouldn’t get elsewhere, so use what’s available while you’re here. Explore upcoming events and classes here.
General tips:
- All about balance: When looking around at club fairs or NVolveU, it’s hard to know where to start. One piece of advice that I was given freshman year is to find a club related to your major, one outside of your major, and one that just interests you. Of course, this is not a hard and fast rule, but it’s a good start. There’s no special number of involvements but I think it’s good to get a variety of experiences, especially outside your college/major. Doing so has allowed me to meet people all over campus and learn about subjects that I don’t learn in my regular classes.
- Trial and error: The first couple clubs might not be the right fit, and that’s okay. Part of the process is trying out involvements until you find one that is fun and fulfilling. Don’t feel obligated to stay with something if it doesn’t feel right, college is all about trying new things after all. College goes by so fast; use the time to do things you love with people you love.
- Space it out: You don’t have to do everything your first year, or even your second year. There are so many clubs and organizations available to join that it can become overwhelming, and you may feel like you have to do it all at once. What I have found is that it’s okay to wait to join a club or organization until a less busy semester when I can more fully commit to it. There’s a common misconception that you have to beef up your resume as fast as you can, but it’s actually better to fully commit to a few things than have little involvement in multiple.
- More than one way to “be involved”: When I talk about involvements, you may automatically assume I’m talking about RSOs, but there are other ways to get involved too. There’s something for everyone. If you are looking for a student ministry, there are many faith-based organizations and church groups that are always seeking members. There are also many opportunities to be involved in the Lincoln community if you are interested in community service or philanthropy. UNL has a website with resources on how to find volunteer opportunities in Lincoln.
- Do what you love: The most important thing to keep in mind when searching for ways to get involved is to pursue avenues that you truly enjoy. Are you getting involved in this RSO because it’s fun, or because you think it would look good on your resume? Reflecting on your “why” for getting involved in something can help guide you on the right path to find the most meaningful experiences for your life.
- Be realistic: When choosing ways to get involved, make sure you are realistic with what time you have. With classes, jobs, a social life and more, it’s important to make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself and actually have the time to attend meetings and events. If you run into overlaps, reflect on your priorities to discover what matters most to you.
One Last Note:
The last thing I want to mention is that, while making connections is great, it can also be hard. It’s not easy to just go up to someone to strike up a conversation or ask someone to be your lab partner. Even so, you must keep in mind that most people struggle with the exact same thing. In most cases, others would be glad to have you talk with them. Oftentimes, doing so could even result in a friendship or meaningful connection. I didn’t know anyone when I came to campus but by having the courage to speak up and start a conversation, I met some of my best friends.
So be brave, be curious, and most of all, have fun.
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