Every college student has heard the troubling two words “get involved.” Usually parents say this intending that you join a club, organization, or intramural sport, preferably not including beer pong or keg stands. There are a variety of organizations all over campus that are always willing to accept newcomers and volunteers. You never know who you will meet or whose life you will impact.

One big organization on campus is State-A-Thon. They want as many volunteers as they can get. In the end, it is a great group effort and little work is actually required of most of the volunteers; all you have to do is go and have fun. By volunteering, you even get a T-shirt out of the deal. Who doesn’t love a free T-shirt? You can take comfort in the fact that your volunteer effort is not only a good time, but it is “For The Kids!” 

As growing adults we have the opportunity to better ourselves and help others simultaneously. Maybe for you this is drinking and for others, it is helping others succeed and grow. No matter what your major is or what your interests are, there is always something that you can do to help.

If you like dancing and hanging out with kids, join State-A-Thon. If you like writing just for the heck of it, join The Collegian. If you like jumping out into the air falling to your potential death, join the skydiving club. If you like sports, join an intramural team. The list can go on and on, but the point is, just find a poster in Rotunda D that looks fun and go. There are too many clubs and groups to name them all but you will find at least one that is worth joining.

I would guess the main reason people don’t join clubs or an organization is because they don’t get anything out of it. However, I would guess the main reason people join these clubs or organizations has to do with having hopes of it being some sort of resume builder. Getting involved can be beneficial to everyone.

When you do something, do it for more than a couple words on a resume. Do it with a positive attitude and a passion to improve someone’s life, or something around you. Maybe that someone is you or maybe it is a complete stranger, you never know until you try.

“Volunteering is so boring.” Yeah, realistically, sometimes it can be. Some of the time you just stand around with your hands in your pockets waiting for someone to faint so you can rush to the rescue. It can be nauseating, it can be pointless, it can even be quite boring but the truth is, it is what you make of it. State-A-Thon and other clubs and associations are there to build people up and make them recognize the unselfish ways of society.

Here is your chance to attack something with a one-two knockout. Here are a couple hints to get started. One, take a couple laps around Rotunda D and find something interesting. Two, go to it. There, you’re done. It’s that simple.

“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”- Margaret Mead

 

 

Brianna Arity is majoring in early childhood education. She can be reached at [email protected].