Survey says: Students benefit by getting involved on campus

In addition to the important learning that takes place inside the classroom, students should also get involved in extra-curricular activities. Becoming involved on campus and in the community can have a huge impact on students and their future.

College should be a fun and enjoyable time, a time when students can create those long lasting friendships and memories. College should also be the time when students begin to start networking. This allows students to make connections, build relationships and also meet new people.

As busy as students are, they may think that they do not have the time to be able to get involved on campus, but studies have shown there is a positive effect on students who become involved on campus and in the community. These studies test the relationship between academic levels, reasons for joining organizations and distractions from student organizations. These studies are generally conducted through surveys on various college campuses.

For example, a 2010 Purdue University study on the relationship between undergraduate student activity and academic performance reported that “participation in student organizations can lead to the development of social and leadership skills, higher retention rates, heightened self-confidence, and improved satisfaction with college the ability to see course curriculum as more relevant, and further success after college.” The Purdue study also indicated that students involved on campus showed a grade point average that was significantly higher than the general student population.

Some of the benefits that students can learn by becoming involved on campus or through the community is the sense of just learning more about oneself. Other benefits can include learning new skills such as time management, project management, communication skills and team building skills.

Participating in organizations will also allow students to apply the skills that they have learned in class. Students will be able to learn from outcomes that were successful as well as ones that were unsuccessful. Learning from mistakes is important because it allows for new ideas and improvement. Getting involved also gives students the chance to take a break from school work themselves to interact with other like-minded students.

One way to get involved on campus is to join a student organization. There are many organizations on campus that pertain to specific disciplines, but the majority of student organizations are open to students on campus regardless of their discipline. It also gives students a chance to network with professionals and fellow students who share the same interests and passions as themselves. UHCL offers 90 plus organizations for students to join.

There are many other ways, in addition to joining a student organization, for students to get involved on campus. Students can join an intramural sports league, attend campus events or participate in student government. Students can also get a job on campus, such as becoming a tutor, teaching assistant or research assistant, and joining the school newspaper. All of these options are great resume builders.  

Students can also sign up to volunteer with their local community or even intern on or off campus. Community involvement allows a student the option to give back to their community. Students can become involved in their communities by volunteering through local organizations.

UHCL Career Services Director Chuck Crocker points out that being involved with student organizations is a good way to build teamwork skills. Becoming an officer or planning an event can allow students to demonstrate their leadership qualities. Crocker said employers are looking for candidates with teamwork and leadership skills.

Students should take advantage and enjoy the different opportunities that colleges have to offer. Becoming involved on campus can allow students to learn soft skills, network and feel more connected to their campus.