Why Joining School Activities And Student Organizations Matters More Than You Think

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            Adelusi Taiwo

As a student, have you ever wondered why some students seem more outspoken, confident and intelligent? Some students just seem to have stronger friendships and clearer goals, they are always talking to someone on the road, someone is always calling their names in a gathering, they seem to associate more with people and it seems everyone likes them. Especially when you walk with them, they are always greeting one person or the other and you find yourself wondering how they get to know a lot of people.

Many times, you find most of them actively involved in either a club, organization, or association involving non-academics or academics activities.

Their engagement with these often makes them an "extra" or "a participating student,” as their experience in these activities regularly serve as pipelines to self growth, self discovery, personal awareness, human management and employment opportunities, which they ordinarily cannot get from attending lectures alone.

Below are a few reasons why you should join a student organization and participate in school activities.


You Exhibit Strong Self-confidence 

Joining an organization or involving in school activities where your impacts are recognized will help increase your self confidence, you start to see the different you, that is, you start to discover part of  yourself you didn't know existed. Speaking up becomes easy and leading others to you becomes natural. You begin to grow bit-by-bit and people start to notice the boldness and confidence in you whenever you speak.


 You Build Strong And Real Friendships.

 Many students only make friends in their respective department and beyond. Building strong friendships and connections is a pathway to making it in life. When you join a student organization, you get to meet people that share your interest, charge you and make you have a sense of belonging. Friendships like this last longer beyond school because they are built on shared experience and goals.


Theory Vs Reality 

The university is typically designed to teach theory while extracurricular activities related to your field teaches you the reality, perhaps what in a layman’s language is called practical. Nowadays, companies and employees tend to employ experienced and more skilful individuals, whether in terms of problem solving, teamwork, public speaking, event planning or time management. 


Joining an organization related to your discipline will equip you with all the necessary skills needed for organization communication and management. A media studies student with hands-on experience in campus journalism tends to portray certain qualities that set them apart in any media organization they end up with. 

Funny how you see graduates of Animal Science end up working as a program analyst in a company, this is because some of them have acquired some skills and have shown competence in them, enabling them to divert into different fields or occupations that are different from what they studied in the university. 


Guides On How To Get Started

Joining an organization is not as important as joining an impactful one. There are numerous cases of students joining associations yet ended up as dormant members. However, here are some simple guides on how to get started selecting the right organization.

  • Join the activity that interests you most, avoid joining all.

  • Attend at least three meetings before deciding whether it is good for you or otherwise, by doing this, you will be able to know which of them match your interest.

  • Set a small goal. For instance if your goal is to meet different people start interacting in group chat and talking during meetings.

  • Growth comes with showing up, so stay consistent. Go to every meeting and be ready to take charge.

   

 Your undergraduate years in university are the period to experiment, fail, grow, try again and realize who you can become. Joining an organization doesn't only mean you are a “participating student" it builds you, trains you, expands your world and prepares you for life after school.


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