“Get involved!” is a suggestion most of us hear regularly while traveling through high school, college, careers and the like. How regularly we heed that suggestion is another story entirely.
Getting involved is one of the quintessential college experience stereotypes. It’s not unusual to hear the standard lines about involvement and its many benefits when checking out college options or talking to most university representatives.
After hearing the same lines time and again, it can be easy to write off the advice as a canned response and fail to see the benefits, especially in college when spare time seems like it could be better devoted to homework, family affairs and catching up on sleep.
In high school I saw little merit in involvement and could count on one hand the number of non-mandatory events I attended. Upon starting college I wasn’t eager to turn over a new leaf. Short of getting involved with “The Bengal,” I largely kept to myself and my schoolwork, which kept me plenty busy and content.
As I’ve spent more time at Idaho State University, it’s been almost impossible to stay uninvolved. Between culture nights, sporting events, performances and a vast array of clubs, finding peers or interesting activities is a piece of cake, even for the large amount of students at ISU with small children and families to accommodate.
Starting last semester I really started making an effort to attend more events, and in these first few weeks of the new semester I’ve noticed that participation really paying off.
In joining one new club and attending a handful of events, it’s amazing how many other students I’ve come to recognize, if only on a smile-and-wave basis.
The disappointing thing, however, is that I seem to be recognizing the same handful of people regardless of what I’m attending. I can think of two explanations for that coincidence.
My interests and involvement definitely fall within a niche of arts, entertainment and the like. I don’t expect to run into every hardcore Idaho State football fan at the symphony, nor do I think the wide audience that culture nights draw will get involved with the ISU Feminist Alliance or try to work for “The Bengal.”
In that way, it makes perfect sense to see the same crowd at various events. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that it’s a combination of interest groups and others’ lack of involvement.
It’s hard to meet new people and forge new connections when a majority of people with your shared interests don’t participate in the clubs and activities specifically targeted toward them.
I know getting involved is difficult. I’m painfully shy and regularly embarrass myself in social situations. In addition to the pressure of trying new things, I know most students have a lot on their plates as it is.
Still, I’ve joined the legion of people touting the benefits of getting involved. The networking and entertainment values alone are worth the extra effort.
Despite the cliché, I have to admit getting involved can take the college experience to a new level.
Nicole Blanchard is a junior majoring in Mass Communication.