Why you should get involved on campus

Many of you are preparing now to begin your first year of college. First of all — congratulations! You’ve made it so far and there are many more exciting opportunities ahead of you.

While the thought of getting to college is stressful enough, the thought of getting involved can be even scarier. We’re afraid to go alone, we won’t know anyone, what if it’s stupid, and if I don’t go I can sit in my dorm room and watch Netflix or take a nap. All those excuses can talk you out of getting involved — but really they are wasting your time because getting involved on campus will be one of the best decisions you make.

I was a transfer student after my freshman year of college. I lived in a single dorm room (yes, no roommate) and the only people I “knew” on campus were kids I went to high school with but they had already been there a whole year and had their own friends.

Not even five days on campus and I walked into my college’s television studio and joined their student-run TV station. It was the best decision I ever made. From there it led me to numerous other clubs and organizations, landed me two internships in future years and gave me some of my best friends.

I’m sure you will get hundreds of emails, see posters and flyers posted all over the halls of event and clubs happening when you go to college; so when you see one that sounds cool or interesting, go. You don’t want to miss an opportunity that could lead to so much more. Don’t be afraid that you won’t know anyone or that none of your friends want to go, you will always make new friends.

Not every extracurricular activity you go to or every organization you join will work out, but at least you went and it could lead you to go to more. You also don’t want to wait and go until your junior or senior year and end up loving it and realize you missed out on so much.

Take advantage of every opportunity and chance that comes your way; don’t waste time. Remember, it’s your college experience, make the most of it.

Written by Annalise Cosco. Annalise attended St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y. She has a love and passion for writing and is a complete “news junkie.” She’s the kind of girl who loves shopping, chick flicks and pumpkin flavored everything, but is also a complete sports fanatic.