How Many Clubs Should I Join in College? Picking clubs that match your goals, schedule, and college social life.

If you are someone who feels nervous about making friends at college, or maybe you are a year or two into school, but you feel isolated in your routine and want to try something new, clubs can help bridge the gap between you and new friends on campus. Many colleges have hundreds of clubs on campus, and the list can be daunting, but you shouldn’t shy away from taking the leap. 

Whether it is your first semester at your new school or you are graduating within the year, joining a club is a great way to explore your interests and get the most out of your college experience.  

Ruthie Zeidman is a third year Strategic and Corporate Communications major and a Public Relations minor. She is also the incoming president of the Student Advisory board, a member of the Chabad Jewish Student Group, a Student Ambassador, an Orientation Leader, and participates in the Public Relations & Ad Assoc.  

When asking why she chose to be a part of so many activities across campus, she said, “I found that what I was good at was leadership and getting involved. I loved building a community and found that so many of my friends came through involvement at my high school, so I thought to myself, let’s do it again in college.” 

Kyle Lehman is a second year Liberal Studies major with a double minor in Elementary Education and English. He is a member of Chapman Hillel and Chapman Kappa Delta Pi, which is a chapter of the Education Honors Society, where he serves as the Service Chair. When talking about his first experience at a club meeting, he stated, “I was definitely a little intimidated…But if I had any advice to offer to incoming first years, I would say just go for it!”  

Benefits of Joining a Club in College 

Clubs are a great way to get to know your college campus, but you must take the time to evaluate the club’s standards and commitment level, as well as your personal interest in the topic.  

Here are the primary benefits of joining a club in college are: 

Making friends in college faster: 

Clubs help you connect with people who have similar interests to you. 

Exploring your passions: 

College is a time of self-discovery, and being a part of a club might open a door to try something you never would have before.  

Developing new skills: 

Clubs often allow you to practice communication, community engagement, teamwork, and leadership skills that you might not get to practice in your classwork. 

Building your resume: 

Showing that you are active in your community and have interests outside of your classwork are key things most employers look for in a post-graduate hire.  

Access to resources: 

Whether it is free food, professional networking, or scholarships, many clubs open doors to new opportunities for you to take advantage of. 

Through joining Chapman’s Honors Society, Lehman said, “I’ve learned the power of networking. The power of connections you can build through other people. Whether it’s for a job or anything else.”  

 Although he used a more professional club as an example, both Kyle and Ruthie also referenced other social clubs like the Outdoors Club or the Harry Potter Club as great ways to build connections. Chapman’s wide-ranging offerings ensure that, with the right amount of courage, you can find your people, and yourself, on campus.   

“Everyone has told me the best way to make friends is to get involved” – Ruthie. 

However, clubs might not be for everyone. If your schedule might already be too full between work, classes, and a blossoming social calendar. You might want to take your time adjusting to college without the commitment and schedule of a structured activity.  

All these reasons are valid, and you are not doing anything wrong by staying in your own lane. But if there is a part of you that is craving more from your time in college, clubs could be a quick way to find friends and build experiences that will help you throughout your lifetime.