Extracurriculars, Clubs, and Student Organizations

Does anyone get involved in the non-academic side of education?

One of the most frustrating things to me as a financially independent college student has always been the fact that it's so hard to get involved in any kind of club or organization, because they always seem to meet when I work. I've been dying to get involved in the Creative Writing Club, the Swing Dancing Club, and so many others, and I've never been able to. And now I'm graduating this December so I never will.

But my consolation for all that has been my work for our university's student-run, student-submitted literary magazine. I absolutely love all the work we do. I look forward to combing through our massive pile of submissions like you would not believe. I like the team, I like promoting the magazine, I like every decision we make together right down to font choices and margin sizes. I am so proud to be a part of this, and it has made me realize that editing longer works of fiction and nonfiction is not my only dream job; my other dream job would be to spend the rest of my life working on literary magazines.

I feel like having other organizations to be involved in is just as important to education as academics, and I'm so grateful to finally have this experience. I grew up going to a school that really didn't have many opportunities for extracurricular involvement, so having this magazine in college has meant the world to me, and I have learned so, so much because of it, as a person, as a student, and as a writer.

So how about you guys? Do you get involved in any events, clubs, etc.? How do you feel it has impacted your education, academically and otherwise?

I've never really been involved in any clubs or just extracurricular activities for that matter just because my time never allowed for it. Back when I was in high school, I would be in school from 8 - 2:30 then I would work from 4 - 9:30 (which changes from time to time). By the time I get home, I'm exhausted and don't really have much time to do my homework or anything like that.

I do wish I had been more involved with something non-academic or school related. I feel like I did miss out on that type of opportunity. I totally give major props to anyone who can manage their school, work, and extracurricular activities without completely letting one of the three crumble.

I mostly do Mock Trial and debate-related stuff. I'm also in Chess Club, which only meets once a month. I don't know if Civil Air Patrol counts, but I'm joining that too. Mock Trial meets two to three times a week and is like an extra class. I've been in the World Affairs Council, Science Club, and a lot of others, but a lot of clubs and such only exist for a year and then lose their sponsor.

I joined the International Students Club at my college and I'm really excited about it.

I would love to join the anime club at my school/college, but I have no way getting there when my uncle and grandpa both work on the meeting times. XD

This year, my senior year, is the first year of high school that I've actually been involved in a club. I go to Art Club every Tuesday and I highly regret not doing it sooner. I plan on joining more clubs in college, now that I know how awesome they are.

I was involved in so many extracurriculars at school: I used to sing in the choir and I played in the jazz band, the big band, the brass band and the soul band. When I moved to uni, that kind of stopped. Our university doesn't have very many clubs that are music-based. I did consider joining the Harry Potter society, but it was on on the same day I had work.

I'm hoping that when I go abroad for the remainder of this semester, they'll have a lot that I can get involved in!

I've never gotten involved in any extracurricular activities. But I think I want to try. I'm really interested in experiencing them.