Find Your People, Build Your Path: The Lowdown on College Clubs

Sri Haritha Deevi, Student Life Editor

Swing dance club at Farmington. Photo//Yara El-Haj

Getting into student clubs is like discovering a whole other side of college that’s so much more than classes and exams. When you join a club, you’re in the loop on all the coolest campus happenings – the kind of stuff that doesn’t just show up in your inbox. 

Clubs have the inside track on everything from competitions to guest lectures and exclusive workshops that go way beyond what’s in your syllabus. You’ll be that friend who is always hyped about the next big thing, whether it is an improv comedy night or a coding bootcamp. It is the kind of experience that makes college way more exciting than just hitting the books.

But clubs are not just about staying in the know. They are a shortcut to building connections. Think of them as a mini LinkedIn or Instagram network. Joining a club means you’re meeting people who get you – they’re into the same things, and some might already have connections in your dream industry. 

Take a club like Women in Computer Science: it’s not just coding sessions. It’s about meeting people who really know the tech world and can hook you up with tips, insights, or even internship recommendations. 

Clubs can be the fast-track to building your future, connecting you with people who will have your back when you’re ready to make moves, and might even help you land that job you have been manifesting.

Then there are the friendships – because let’s be real, some of these people are going to be your crew for life. Clubs are where you find your ride-or-die friends, the ones tagging you in memes, hitting late-night food spots, and surviving study sessions together.

Clubs also offer a crash course in diversity: You’ll meet people with totally different backgrounds, perspectives, and traditions. You might end up learning traditional dances in a cultural club or trying foods you can’t even pronounce. It’s a vibe, and it makes you more open-minded and culturally aware – teaching you things you never realized you needed to know.

For me, it all started when a friend dragged me to try swing dancing one winter – and that was it; I was hooked. I’d always wanted to dance, but I was too shy. But here I found my clan that’s there for me no matter what – my cute support system (my lovely girlies). The club gave me a space to be myself and pursue something I loved, all while making friends from different backgrounds who feel like family. One shot, two wins! You never know what will change your world, and now I’m an active member of the swing dance club, something I never expected but couldn’t be happier about.

Now, heads up: joining clubs is all fun and games until you realize how much time they can take. It’s easy to go from “I love this club!” to “Wait, when’s my next exam?” Balancing club life and school life is a skill, and sometimes, you have to throw out a firm “Can’t make it” if you’re swamped. Knowing when to say no is a real skill, so you don’t end up with the all-play-no-study lifestyle. But if you manage it right, clubs can transform your college experience. It’s all about finding your people, building your future, and creating a college journey that you’ll look back on with zero regrets.

So now you know what clubs can bring to your college life. If you’re not part of one yet, take this as your sign to join one that sparks your interest (or maybe pushes you out of your comfort zone).