Why You Should Get Involved in College Activities

There’s more to school than classes and homework. Most colleges and universities offer a variety of activities for students join. Whether it’s intramural sports, college debate, study groups or students council, it could pay to become more involved outside the classroom. Today we’re going to take a look at some of the top reasons to start participating in more extracurricular activities. Some schools offer hundreds of opportunities, so there’s no excuse not to look for something that fits your interests.

Benefit 1: Developing your skills

All of us are gifted at something. Whether you’re joining a group that helps you develop your existing skills or one where you’re learning something new, the experiences you gain while participating could help you in your future. At the very least, you could learn to become a more effective communicator by getting to know people you wouldn’t normally have a chance to interact with.

Benefit 2: Networking

We’ve all heard the term, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” While this old adage might not be entirely accurate (it helps to know something), it is partially true. If you’ve already spent time in the working world, you’ve probably seen this sentiment in action. How many of your boss’s friends have been hired on with your company? How many times might you have benefited from preferential treatment at work because you were friendly with your supervisor? People have a tendency to trust and enjoy working with people they already know, which is why it can be beneficial to meet as many of them as you can while you’re still in school. Joining groups or participating in your school’s activities is a great way to build your professional and social networks.

Benefit 3: Relaxing
    
You might think joining a new group or deciding to participate in activities will only add more stress to your life and stretch out your already busy schedule; however, if you decide to join an activity or group you’re actually interested in, you might enjoy it. College activities can help you take a break from studying and homework. Think about it. When you need a break from a writing term paper or can’t stand the thought of reading another page in your textbook, wouldn’t it help to hang out with a bunch of people you know and work toward a common goal? It might just help you hit the reset button and get even more out of your studies when you return.

Sources:
http://www.helium.com/items/1894424-why-you-should-get-involved-in-college-events
http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/twice-the-college-advice/2011/09/13/5-reasons-for-getting-involved-in-college-and-how-to-go-about-it

Five Organization Tips for College Students

Starting a new semester can be tricky. Whether it’s your first semester or last, it always pays to be organized before it begins. If you want to make things easier on yourself and stop worrying so much about managing your course work, read the five short tips for getting organized listed below.

Set goals
Having a clear picture of what you hope to achieve can motivate you when challenges arise. It can also help you plan a course of action to make reaching your goals easier. If your goal is to earn an “A” in anatomy, list out the steps you’ll need to take to reach it.

Use a planner
We know, we know. Planners aren’t cool, but they are necessary if you want to get a handle on your schoolwork. Successful people use planners every day. Why should you be any different? We recommend writing down all known due dates in advance. As soon as a new project or test is announced, write it down. Getting organized with a planner can help you save time and ease your mind.

Learn to manage your time
Making the transition from high school or the professional world to a world with more homework and study time can be difficult. We suggest making a list of priorities and leaving time for important things like family and school. If you find yourself choosing between an extra hour of TV or taking the time to study, consult the list. 

Create a system
Whether it’s color coding a binder, buying a file cabinet or putting Post-it notes with due dates in places you know you’ll remember, creating an organized system that works for you is important.

Establish a routine
Even if you’re a person who thrives on spontaneity, establishing a routine can help. If you know that studying someplace quiet for an hour before a test helps, do it every time. If you know that doing your homework right after class helps you avoid procrastination, do it after class. Find out what works for you and stick to it.   

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Source: http://www.saycampuslife.com/2012/06/12/7-college-student-organization-tips/