My friend always had a good joke to tell about community colleges. He would say, "Yeah, Alex, the 'community' takes all the fun out of college". In a way, he was right. But all he and I did was go to class and just chill out doing homework. Neither of us were involved in any extracurricular activities. With "community" in the name, it seemed like a sure-fire way for you to bump into new people all over the place without making effort. Wrong. Here is what I learned: In community college you must form your own "community".
And just how does this relate to you? I'll tell you...
Right when you step foot on the campus of your local community college, join a club or activity. Heck, what do you really have to lose? Whether you are a full or part-time student, try to integrate at least one club into your busy schedule. Let's go through all of the advantages:
Advantage #1: Release
-Whether you are a full or part-time student, you will have a lot of academic work. Now I don't know about you, but if I had to do work all day everyday, I would go crazy. Use this time to let loose and go have fun. Let me make this clear: I hereby give you permission to join a club and have fun!
Advantage #2: Meet New People
-This is probably the most rewarding part. You get to meet new and interesting people that share similar passions or ideas. Plus, you can make important connections. Maybe the adviser of the club is your history teacher or the dean of students really likes your ideas. This is win-win!
Advantage #3: A club that doesn't exist yet may be the best thing to happen to you!
-This is likely going to happen in your community college career: You are excited about joining a club and you go down the list looking for that club. What!? "Underwater Sewing Club" isn't there?? Don't worry! If a club doesn't exist, take some initiative and start one! Here is what you do:
1. Join an existing club for a semester and see what running a club is like. Attend all meetings and immediately volunteer for any leadership positions that might come up
2.Talk to the student activities coordinator
3. If they deem your activity appropriate, they will make you sign some forms. This should include a club description, a club code of conduct, and so on
4. You will have to get about 10-30 people to sign your petition to start the club. If you know a lot of people from a previous club, this will be a cinch!
5. Next, you will have to pick a teacher to be the adviser to the club. Again, if you know a really good teacher from a previous club or class, this should be easy!
6. You have started your own club! How easy was that? Don't forget: Starting a club makes you look even better on transfer applications than joining one. Plus, you will gain positive notice from teachers, students, and faculty. You will be the STAR!
Advantage #4: Looks great on transfer applications
-When you are applying to a 4 year school, admissions officers eat "being involved" like catnip! What does this prove to them? That you would be an excellent addition to their school!
Advantage #5: Have Fun!
-This is the most important part! Joining something that you love to do just creates positive energy all around! People need fun people like you!
In Conclusion:
In closing, I hope my five advantages towards joining a club has pumped up your ambition to become a "standout student". Like I said in my very first post, one of the reasons why students standout in their local community college is because they "get involved in extracurricular activities"
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