There’s more to college than the classroom.
Studies have shown those who participate on campus and school-related activities do better in their classes and are less likely to drop out, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Wyatt Bringhurst, who is studying business administration and serves as the vice president of Clubs and Organizations, started out at Salt Lake Community College like any other student.
“I came into college having a bunch of anxiety, not wanting to talk to people, and being extremely shy … A lot of times, you can feel kind of alone,” he says.
Bringhurst goes on to credit his campus involvement to lower levels of anxiety and higher confidence.
“Being involved opens up so many doors for students—so many resources, opportunities, and networking,” he says. “It’s just a great way to feel a sense of community, belonging and connection between other students.”
Students can get involved by visiting the Clubs and Organizations page or attending Club Rush. For the fall 2019 semester, Club Rush runs Sept. 3-5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held first at Jordan Campus, then at South City Campus, and finally at Taylorsville Redwood Campus.
Some of the unique clubs include the Astronomy Club, where students operate their own planetarium and telescopes, have star parties and more. The Refugee Club, targeted at students who come from refugee backgrounds, or students who are interested in learning and working with refugees to provide resources, education, guidance and community tips.
Students can visit the Student Life and Leadership office at STC 124, where they offer amazing programs, including stipends where students can get paid for work and leadership opportunities through the college.
Other ways to get involved include working on the student senate.
Political science student Nathaniel Brown serves on the student senate as the Inclusivity and Diversity Senator for the school. The student senate is responsible for solving student issues, seeking suggestions and working on ways to improve campus life.
Brown encourages students to get involved and express their opinions.
“Being involved gives you a platform to convey positive and negative feedback to decision-makers [for the school],” he says, adding that he sees firsthand the hard work the school’s organizations put in to improve the lives of every student.
While students can arrive at college feeling shy or out of place, these programs, organizations, and clubs can not only provide a sense of community but also look great on resumes and can be the stepping stones for future careers.
As Bringhurst puts it, “After joining my first club, I became so much more confident and engaged. I can walk up and talk to anyone now.”
