Newswise — TORONTO, Sept. 5, 2012 --- Orientation week is a great way for students not only to connect with other students, but also a way to find out about the plethora of events and activities universities have to offer. However, it can be overwhelming for some students who are trying to figure out if they sign should up for a slew of clubs and load up their calendar in their first year, or just wait until next year.
Stephen Kassim, a Politics and Governance student at Ryerson University and strong proponent of joining campus clubs, offers these tips to help students make up their mind:
1. Why Join?Joining a campus group is a good way to get to know the university community apart from going to your classes. You will meet people that you wouldn’t ordinarily meet, create networking opportunities and have fun and engaging social activities. Campus groups also give you the opportunity to add experience to your resume and may even lead directly to a job offer.
2. When Should I Join a Campus Group?Join a student club earlier rather than later. If you are worried about the effect it will have on your studies, you can always take less demanding positions or join as a regular member, which means less responsibility. Joining earlier also prepares you for higher positions that will require prior experience before applying. You also get all the benefits of getting to know all the people in the group and gaining connections with people who might not be there anymore if you joined later.
3. Should I Join Several Student Groups?This is entirely up to you and depends on how much time you have to devote to extracurricular activities. Join as many clubs as you want as long as you can balance your involvement in student groups with academic studies. While student groups aren’t necessarily as firm of a commitment as school or work, if you are in an elected or executive position, it is important to give them the time they deserve. Campus groups can only be as strong as the students who make them up. The nice thing about joining multiple groups is that they will expose you to different sides of your university’s vibrant community, and you will meet different kinds of people.
4. Where Can I Find Campus Groups?There are a number of places where campus groups can be found. Start by checking out your university’s student union website where many campus groups and clubs are often listed. You can also join clubs run by student groups in different faculties. Most universities also have a club and groups day where each organization is represented on campus.
5. How Do I Know Which Group To Join?It’s okay if you don’t know what exactly to do. If you’re not sure, talk to people currently involved in groups to get their perspective. Attend some meetings or events. If it’s not clicking, just try something else. There are student leaders, staff, administration and programs on campus to support and to help you connect with your university community. These people are more than willing to help you out, so don’t be afraid to approach them and ask questions.
7. Will Joining a Campus Group Help Me After I Graduate?Most definitely! How do you differentiate yourself for potential employers? One of the best ways is to get involved on your campus. This shows prospective employers that you show initiative, are engaged in what you do and go above and beyond the routine to do more.
Campus groups also provide you opportunities to develop practical skills and give you experience that you can use to demonstrate your ability. Having a course on your transcript doesn’t tell somebody too much, but showing them something tangible that you built or achieved can be worth a lot.
About Stephen Kassim
Stephen Kassim is a Politics and Governance student at Ryerson who has been an executive of several student groups, served on many committees and councils across the university, and has worked in multiple work-study positions on campus. He currently serves on Ryerson University’s Board of Governors.
To request an interview with Stephen, please contact Suelan Toye, Public Affairs.
For more back-to-school tips on everything from dealing with first-year jitters to how to avoid the freshman bulge, visit: http://bit.ly/ReRZU0
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Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 30,000 students, including 2,300 master's and PhD students, nearly 2,700 faculty and staff, and more than 140,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past four years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada's leading provider of university-based adult education. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca
MEDIA CONTACT:
Suelan ToyePublic Affairs| Ryerson UniversityOffice: 416-979-5000 x 7161 | [email protected]@Ryerson.ca
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