Extracurricular activities related to campus associations play an important role in college life, and freshmen recruitment is the lifeblood of student associations. By choosing to participate in a student association or club, freshmen can enrich their college experience and meet other students who share similar interests. However, before you give the nod to a recruiter inviting you to join a particular association, here are some tips that will help you make a choice that you won’t regret:

Choose one or at most two associations to join

First, investigate and then narrow down all of the available campus associations to a few which most interest you. Then choose one or at most two to join. Remember, the first and foremost priority for freshmen is study; you don’t want to get caught up in extracurricular activities that demand too much of your time. Also, activities related to student associations should not conflict with your daily class schedule.

Consider your own skills and interests

When it comes to choosing a student association, there is no standard to define whether one or the other is the “right one” for you. Your primary considerations should be related to your personal competencies and interests. Ask yourself, “Am I interested in joining this association solely because my friends are doing it?” Don’t let your decision be driven by peer pressure.

Forget about purely utilitarian reasons

Some students may choose to join a particular association, or to join too many associations, because they want to improve their campus reputation, get better scores on their moral education evaluations, or for other utilitarian purposes. The purpose of these associations is to provide a platform for students to expand their social network, enhance problem-solving abilities, and enrich their campus life. So, put those purely utilitarian reasons aside, and cultivate a proper attitude toward choosing a student association.

Choose associations that are compatible with your campus lifestyle

Before you choose to join a student association, be sure to check on the frequency of their meetings. Also, ask about any group-sponsored activities or events that occur outside of regular meetings. Some students may like to attend one or two meetings a week, while others find that they prefer associations that meet only once or twice a month. The point is to choose an association with a level of activity and enthusiasm that is compatible with your own.