Maximize Your Student Experience: The Power of Participation

College has always been about learning and broadening your horizons—and it’s not limited to the classroom. College is a time when you are supposed to be social and enjoy life as much as you are preparing for your future career. To make the most out of this brief period of your life, embrace all it has to offer! Participation in campus events will add to an already robust college life and has the power to positively shape your experience—it’s the cherry on top of the hard-earned degree and these moments beyond the classroom might become your most cherished memories.

The Perks of Participation 

There’s no end to the benefits that will come from active social life in college — provided you remember the real reason behind the journey. From expanding your social circles to helping reduce stress, being an active participant in campus life bolsters every aspect of your experience by helping you:

• Meet new people. Through your shared experience as a student, you forge connections with new people who become lifelong friends, colleagues, teammates, and partners.
• Discover new interests. The purpose of college is yes, to prepare you for a career, but it is also to satisfy intellectual interests, explore personal passions, broaden your perspectives and ultimately, push you further down the path of self-actualization.
• Build real-world skills. Future employers love to see a well-rounded candidate. Having extracurriculars shows employers your ability to work on a team, to problem-solve, to manage time and projects, to plan and execute directives and to be invested in the outcome. It’s a great way to prove you’re someone worth investing in.
• Broaden your horizons. The classroom is not the only place we learn. Participating in campus events, such as lectures, seminars, organizations, student employment, and other outlets will help to expand your worldview — a crucial skill for life after college. 
• Focus on the future. Just like clinicals provide a hands-on demonstration of classroom theories, participation in campus activities and organizations provides a way to get real-world practice for what you intend to do professionally. Internships, study groups, profession-specific clubs, and networking all serve to test the professional waters before graduation and put you on a career path you’re passionate about. 

How to Get Involved at School

College coursework already takes up so much of your energy and brain space, so you might be inclined to stay on the sidelines. You don’t need to be everywhere or do everything, but any level of participation can help to enrich your experience as a student. Here are four ways to confidently and comfortably get more involved on campus:

1. Remember, not everything costs money. Many campus-sponsored events are complimentary so there’s no commitment other than your time. It’s to your advantage to browse through the options and to see what’s available right on campus. 
2. Embrace the trial run. Clubs and organizations need members to continue so they are especially welcoming to newcomers. If you see something that piques your interest, swing by the next meeting or contact the organization to learn more. If it’s not for you, now you know. And if it is, a new world of opportunity, friendship, and purpose has just opened up. 
3. Be a joiner. Humans are social beings so going in a group is a safe way to try something new without feeling singled out. Gather friends or classmates to check out an event together and discuss what stands out to you. Using the buddy system to explore new ideas and opportunities is a great way to keep the focus on your interests and not on your anxieties.  
4. Talk to your Career Development Coach. Every Herzing University student is assigned a Career Development Coach to provide one-on-one guidance and support throughout their time as a student. And it’s not just for helping in the classroom. Talk to your coach to see which clubs, organizations, or internships might be the best fit for your schedule and interests. 

By choosing Herzing University, you are dedicating a time of your life to discovering your passions, fueling your future dreams and creating lasting connections. Make the most of your time at Herzing by opening yourself up to all that interests you and you’ll graduate with a degree, a career path and plenty of memories made along the way. 

Unsure where to start? Contact the Herzing University’s Career Development Services team to see can offer a wide range of resources for current students to see what door opens for you next