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I mean, to be honest, when I first started uni, I wasn't that fussed about clubs. My plan was really simple: go to class, do my work, pass my exams, and survive. That's it. My thought process was that clubs were totally a waste of time or they were for people who had tons of free time. But warning to all — I was totally in the wrong. Highly in the wrong. Joining a club (or two, because it turns out that way) was one of the best things I've ever done in my uni life.
1. Step out of my comfort zone
I'm not that social. I mean, during my first semester, I just went to class and then home. I didn't know many people, and I felt sort of invisible. But just passing by at our campus fest once, I chanced upon this club booth. The people were friendly, and I was really just stopping by for the free sticker they were handing out. One thing after another, and before I knew it… I signed up. The first class was awkward. I did not say much. But slowly, I started opening up. I saw students from other classes, cultures, and even foreign students. They were not scary at all. Some of them were just as lost as I was. But everyone had attended to learn and contribute something to offer. That provided a sense of belonging.
2. Real-Life Skills That Class Didn’t Teach Me
Don't get me wrong, what we learn in class is vital. But clubs? They're the ones that teach you the essentials. Like how to plan an event, how to talk to sponsors, how to run a meeting, how to write a proposal when you have no idea what you're doing but still need to have something ready for tomorrow. I learned more about leadership, communication, and problem-solving in one semester than I ever imagined. I even got my hands on Adobe Illustrator for the first time because I volunteered to help with the event poster.
3. Release stress
They say clubs are time-consuming. And yes, it does get tiring sometimes, especially when juggling assignments and an upcoming club event. But oddly enough, it also became my escape. When I was overwhelmed with uni work, attending a club meeting was a break. It was work, but casual. I laughed more, talked more, and did not over-think. It was something that I looked forward to instead of another task on my to-do list.
4. Self confidence Improved
I detested public speaking. Like seriously, palms-sweating, voice-trembling kind of detest. But clubs gave me a comfortable space to practice. I initially organized a small game session. Then I emceed a big event. Later, I was even on the committee and had to make presentations to sponsors. I was nervous, naturally. But I lived through it — and that's how I improved. Now? I will not say I am a TED Talk speaker, but I can at least speak without freaking out. That is a victory in itself.
5. Help our future career
When I was applying for my internship, I did not know if my grades would cut it. But in the interview, I discussed my work in the club, the events I had helped to organize, and the team experience I had. And what do you know? That is what wowed them the most. Employers require more than your CGPA. They want to know how you function in a team, how you solve problems, and how you surmount real-life challenges. Clubs gave me anecdotes to tell — and those anecdotes made me stand out.
Overall, becoming involved with a campus organization was one of the best decisions I ever made and I nearly didn't. You never know how much you're going to grow until you step out and do something different. So genuinely, take a shot. Worst scenario? You learn something. Best scenario? You find out about yourself you didn't know you had.
DiJun (kxuannn0424@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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