How to Find the Right Club in College

Club members stand around a table chatting
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State University

Chloe Reid

Reporter

College can seem intimidating at first. Coming onto campus for the first time is a big change for many, from seeing new faces, a new home and larger class sizes compared to those you might have experienced throughout high school. Clubs are a great way to reduce your fears about moving to college, and give you a fun place to put your free time into. With Idaho State University having 100+ club options to choose from, there’s a plethora of options to find a club that best fits whatever your idea of fun may be. However, with so many options available, from sororities and fraternities, clubs just for fun and even clubs for experience in a certain field of study, it can also be hard to find the club that’s right for you. No worries, below is a guide to finding the best fits for you on campus.

Consider your interests

Think about the things that you like to do in your free time and that give you joy to do. Whether it be painting, gardening, writing or studying something new, clubs give you the opportunity to focus that passion while also meeting other people who enjoy doing the same.

Look at your experience

Clubs aren’t just for doing things based on your every day hobbies, they’re a great way to gain experience in certain topics as well! Whether it be something you’re planning on majoring in and want to try out to know if you truly like it without investing in too many classes, or something you’ve wanted to try for a while, take applying to a club as an opportunity to expand your knowledge of a certain subject.

Don’t be afraid to try something new

Clubs don’t have to be something you’ve ever taken an interest in before. While looking through club options, take into consideration something you’ve never tried before. You don’t have to have skill in something in order to have fun.

Camera looking down on top of rock climber
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State University

Consider making your own

Clubs aren’t limited to those you might find on the Idaho State website, you’re always open to making your own as well. According to the Idaho State University website, clubs can be made as long as there is a minimum of 12 fully registered members in participation.

Review why you’d like to join a club

What’s your main reasoning behind wanting to participate in a club on campus? Is it to make friends? Gain extra knowledge on something? Be more involved in student life? Considering your underlying reasons of wanting to pursue a club can be helpful in choosing the right club for you, and can help you find others who joined for the same reasons and that can push you to be successful in whichever reason it may be.

Finding a club early on is a great option for many reasons. Sure, you could join one halfway through your college years, but the first year in coming to college is the best time to discover the things you truly want to do for the rest of your life. Joining a club is also a great opportunity to add things to your resume in the future if you end up in any type of leadership position with the club or gain experience in a certain topic. To ease the transition into a new school, clubs are a great option to meet new people and spend time working on something that relates to your interests. For the full list of clubs Idaho State has to offer, visit isu.edu/clubs/clubslist.