Here we are, somewhere in the middle of the uphill battle that is the spring semester. Between all of the classes, work, sleep, and Counter Strike, you probably don’t think you have any free time. But what are you really getting out of this semester?
Are you developing that life-long network that a school such as ours is supposed to give you? Do you feel like you’re actually accomplishing something? Are you spending your time with people who have interests similar to yours?
If the answer to some of these questions is “no,” you are missing out on an important part of the college experience here at RPI.
With its $7 million budget the Union funds numerous clubs, sports, and other activities here at RPI. Odds are that you can find one to suit your interests. There’s a fencing club, a scuba diving club, an anime club, various acting organizations, UPAC, The Polytechnic, and many more. If there isn’t a club that you’re interested in, then you can start a new one. When it comes down to it, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t be involved in something.
Fortunately, it’s never too late to get involved. While many clubs target incoming freshmen for new membership, they would be more than happy to welcome upperclassmen into their ranks as well.
There are many benefits to joining a club: you meet new people; you get some extra padding your resume, especially in leadership roles; you accomplish something more than handing in the paper that was due on Friday.
If you need extra incentive, think of activity fee that you’re paying. That’s about $400 each year that many of us simply aren’t putting to good use. If you have to pay the fee anyway, you might as well get involved in something, right?
Granted, your time playing Counter Strike might suffer a slight hit, and you may not be able to watch The Princess Bride for the hundredth time next weekend, but the time you spend involved in a club or other organization is well worth it.
