Get creative with your campus involvement
Hey guys, no video here, just some thoughts.
I was reflecting on my experience at Southern Miss, and I am really happy with my decision to attend school here as well as the decisions I've made to be involved in different projects and organizations. I am not involved in what one may consider the main ways to get involved - SGA, GEWW Crew, Eagle Connection, Southern Style, etc. By no means am I saying these are bad organizations and you shouldn't be involved in them, but I was never very interested in being a part of these organizations.
When I was a freshman, I experienced a dilemma common to the first year experience - I wanted to be involved on campus and leave my mark, but I didn't have a clue what clubs I wanted to be a part of. I tried out for Freshman Associates (the freshman branch of the SGA) and Lambda Sigma Honor Society, and was rejected by both. These were two organizations that many top students were a part of, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't upset about not getting into them.
I am now a junior, and I stay very busy. I have finally found the ways to get involved that fit me perfectly. For one, I'm a producer/writer for this video blog. I started a band with 4 other USM students (shameless plug - we're playing Sat., 3/22/08 at the Boom Boom Room at 9 PM). I am the Assistant Director for the Southern Miss Magazine, a cable news show run by students in the Mass Communication & Journalism department. I'm in a fraternity where I've met some of the best friends I'll ever have. In addition, I do various musical performances and video projects.
So if the top organizations aren't a good fit for you, try your best not to get discouraged. This point is preached in many a campus tour and brochure - USM has boatloads of student organizations. And if you don't find a single organization that fits you, start your own.
List of Student Organizations
I was reflecting on my experience at Southern Miss, and I am really happy with my decision to attend school here as well as the decisions I've made to be involved in different projects and organizations. I am not involved in what one may consider the main ways to get involved - SGA, GEWW Crew, Eagle Connection, Southern Style, etc. By no means am I saying these are bad organizations and you shouldn't be involved in them, but I was never very interested in being a part of these organizations.
When I was a freshman, I experienced a dilemma common to the first year experience - I wanted to be involved on campus and leave my mark, but I didn't have a clue what clubs I wanted to be a part of. I tried out for Freshman Associates (the freshman branch of the SGA) and Lambda Sigma Honor Society, and was rejected by both. These were two organizations that many top students were a part of, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't upset about not getting into them.
I am now a junior, and I stay very busy. I have finally found the ways to get involved that fit me perfectly. For one, I'm a producer/writer for this video blog. I started a band with 4 other USM students (shameless plug - we're playing Sat., 3/22/08 at the Boom Boom Room at 9 PM). I am the Assistant Director for the Southern Miss Magazine, a cable news show run by students in the Mass Communication & Journalism department. I'm in a fraternity where I've met some of the best friends I'll ever have. In addition, I do various musical performances and video projects.
So if the top organizations aren't a good fit for you, try your best not to get discouraged. This point is preached in many a campus tour and brochure - USM has boatloads of student organizations. And if you don't find a single organization that fits you, start your own.
List of Student Organizations
Leave a comment