Entering a new environment such as college can be an incredibly overwhelming experience for many people. All too often, students entering their freshman year don’t adapt well to their new environment, leading to feelings of loneliness, stress, and in the worst cases, depression. One way to help new freshmen adapt to campus life is to join student led organizations on campus. Student organizations can offer a variety of benefits, including a sense of belonging, new and enhanced social connections, as well as the opportunity for personal growth. However, equally important is finding the right organization to be a part of. Here are my tips for finding the perfect
organization for your college experience.

Know Yourself

The first and most important part of finding the right organization, is understanding your personality, values, and goals. Not every organization on campus will reflect your personality, and that’s perfectly normal! It is important that you stay genuine to your beliefs. Changing your personality and values to join an organization will not elevate your college experience. Instead, find organizations that mirror who you’d like to see yourself become. When you are in the recruitment phase, it is important to ask yourself, “Do I see myself building long-term relationships with these people?” Additionally, many student organizations are positioned around certain majors, hobbies, or identities. If you are particularly passionate about a certain activity or way you identify yourself, it is likely there is an organization for like-minded individuals.

Reach Out

Don’t expect organizations to be lining up at your doorstep to recruit you. You’ll need to be proactive in finding out when, where, and how organizations recruit new members. Often the most difficult part of the recruitment process is making yourself seen. This can be scary and challenging, but along the way you’ll meet new people and learn more about the organization. If you already have prior connections at your prospective school, do not hesitate to contact them and ask for their advice. The individuals who have already experienced the recruitment process will often have the best advice for you. There are also numerous resources on every campus to help you on your journey.

Attend Student Organization Interest Events

Most campuses have some type of event at the beginning of each semester in which student organizations where each organization will have a designated table in a specified place. This will likely be your best opportunity to explore what’s offered because every accredited organization will be in one place at the same time. Introduce yourself to every table and try to find out more about each organization. Many of them will include a sign-up sheet as well. If you find an organization you like, make sure they have your contact information for follow up. Additionally, depending on your school, they may host several student org. events for differing kinds of organizations. For example, if you’d like to rush a fraternity or sorority, a “Meet the Greek” night is your best chance to learn more about Greek life.

Reevaluate before Committing

During your recruitment process, take a step back and evaluate the organization you intend to join. As you proceed in the recruitment process, you will quickly learn more about the organization and the people involved. Be sure to ask yourself, “what do I like about this organization?” and “what don’t I like about this organization?” Weigh the pros and cons of every organization and determine which organization you believe is the best fit. Most importantly, never become discouraged if you haven’t found the perfect organization yet. It is never too late to find your organization. Happy recruitment!

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