The Pros and Cons of Being Hyper involved on Campus

Pros:

1. It is easy to make friends

A big part of going away to school is that there is generally a large amount of people who you do not know. Even at a smaller school like Whittier, the incoming freshmen class is generally around 400 students. When I began school at Whittier, I knew no one. Even if you are somewhat comfortable with making friends, this can be a daunting task. Activities provide a built-in friend group.

Whether it is a sports team, a society (fraternities and sororities), an academic club or an activity, these are people who you have a common interest with. It breaks the ice and it allows for you to meet people in a non-pressurized way. Many schools offer a diverse set of clubs (Drama club, Model UN, etc.), sports (Lacrosse, Volleyball, etc.) and activities (societies, dance, etc.) providing its students with ample opportunities for every interest.

2.) It keeps you busy

Depending on who you are, being busy could be a good thing. Participating in on campus activities can provide structure to a somewhat loose schedule and ensures that there will never be a dull moment. If you participate in activities, you will have a plethora of events or games to participate in. For example, if you are involved in Drama Club or a play, you might have a filled up week of rehearsals, performances, and cast meetings. Societies have weekly meetings, parties and lunches that members are encouraged to attend. If you are busy, this also leaves little time to be lonely and homesick. You will be running around so much, you won’t have time to feel down!

3. Being involved looks good on your resume

Most graduate schools and jobs want to see that you are involved in your community. Having diverse, serious interests and a drive to grow as a person are not lost on hiring and admission committees. This shows that you are not afraid to take chances, get out into the community and get involved. It shows that you can be a part of a team and also gives you a chance to highlight a skill or talent that may not be required in your job. Being involved on campus shows that you are interested AND interesting.

4. Connecting with Professors

A lot of professors are involved in supervising or being a part of a club. The professors are advisors for the societies, coach/cheer on the sports teams, and are in charge of the academic clubs. By participating in on campus activities, you can develop a one-on-one relationship with a professor that might not be forged in an academic setting. It also provides the professor with a perspective of you as a person that is not classroom based. This is an exceptional relationship to seek out because the professors can help with job searching, recommendations, etc.

Cons:

1. Being overly committed distracts from school

As a college student, you are there to focus on school. Being overly involved may distract you from the purpose of your college endeavor. This could create issues with finishing up homework, being able to attend group project meetings, or even cause you to miss class. It is important to be cautious of not taking on too much when you are already strained academically. Activities should be fun, and if you are too stressed out by making sure you are showing up to all of your classes and meetings, you may not be able to fully enjoy your college experience.

2. Not enough free time

Having time to be alone and uncommitted is very beneficial. If you over commit to things, you may not leave yourself any time to just lounge around or hang out with friends. It’s important to think about this before committing and packing your schedule. Know how much alone time you may want or need and schedule accordingly.

Katherine Van Allen, originally hailing from Portland, Oregon, attended Whittier College from 2008-2012. Katherine majored in Social Work, graduating with membership in two honor societies and one social society. Katherine played sports for three years at Whittier. She currently resides in Los Angeles and enjoys her job as a geriatric social worker.