Upon high school graduation, the most common pieces of advice you will receive from parents, teachers, and older siblings, in regard to college, is that “You get out of it what you put into it.” Going on my second semester in college, this admonition could not be more correct. Time is an intimidating principle. It is easy to find yourself lost in due dates, exams, and homework, where you may find yourself forgetting what it is all working towards. Everyone has goals and ambitions; however, it is not uncommon for students to have difficulty pinpointing exactly how to reach their goals. College is more than an education, it is more than a place to meet new people, it is a beaming opportunity for students to discover and explore their passions.

Depending on where you went to high school, and the extent to which extracurriculars were impressed upon you, you may or may not have had the option to express yourself in a creative environment without the pressure of academics. One of the benefits of attending college is the endless amount of clubs and organizations that want you to join and contribute to their projects. Although it can be very overwhelming, Farmingdale State College offers a multitude of extracurriculars that everyone is sure to find more than one that piques their interest. How do you know which clubs would be a good fit? Every semester FSC holds an Involvement Fair where every club markets themselves and try to recruit new members. If you happen to miss the Involvement Fair, you could always visit FSC’s website for how to get involved on campus. Almost every day you can find a variety of organizations stationed in the Campus Center working on and promoting their projects. Consider each organization and find which ones pique your natural interest and curiosity. Afterward, make note of the meeting times and become an active member. If you find it is not for you, no worries, research alternative clubs. If it is a perfect fit, network with other club members and be as active as possible!

Academics are very important in college and should always come first. However, often times joining clubs and organizations give students a different perspective of college. Extracurriculars are more than something to do. When you join a club you are introduced to a whole new group of people. People that share similar interests and values – you have an automatic connection with everyone in the room. This is a great way to meet people, especially if you are new to FSC. You will most likely be connected to a specific group of alumni who were involved in the same organization and can vouch how it helped them prepare for their future. Depending on your club, you will be connected with the surrounding community through projects and service. This will allow you to gain real-world experience and perhaps open doors for job opportunities. Clubs are a big resume builder and show potential employers that you were committed to more than your academics. It is a great interview topic and validates your genuine interests. The number of extracurriculars does not necessarily impress, but what you did within each of your activities can separate you from other applicants when applying for a job.

In order to get the most out of college, it is imperative to take advantage of opportunities. Clubs, sports, Greek life, and professional organizations are all opportunities. They are attainable opportunities for you to express yourself, find your passions, explore them with others that have similar interests, and prepare a solid post-college resume. Farmingdale State College provides an umpteen amount of extracurriculars to get involved in. Despite your major, you can be a part of a variety of organizations that always need passionate members. College can be an overwhelming process, but it also goes by very quickly. Similar to high school, you do not want to reach your final semesters and wish you had been more involved. There is no time like the present, so why not consider getting involved? Not only will you be able to better connect with fellow students and alumni, but connect with FSC’s wonderful professors and staff who want to help you succeed. Joining a club is more than just a way to pass time, but is a beaming opportunity to find your passions that could possibly lead you to a future career. FSC offers a multitude of opportunities for students, so take advantage, get the most out of your experience, and get involved!