If you are looking for a more meaningful college experience, get involved in campus activities.

Play a sport; join a campus club or a special programs — you’ll be happy you did. In addition to the obvious benefits, you’ll gain discipline and valuable social skills that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Numerous clubs here on campus appeal to a diversity of interests, and they try to recruit students during club rushes. Joining a club will help you meet other students and you can get really involved in doing what you already love.

There is always something for everyone–and if not, you can always gather enough people and start your own club. Also, clubs can provide many volunteering opportunities which look good on your resume.

Many students are surprisingly unaware of special programs which are here to benefit students. The EOPS program, for example, helps students purchase their textbooks; the Puente program helps students transfer to four-year universities to earn their degrees and return to the community as successful leaders and mentors; the TRIO program helps motivate students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Lena Stevenson, a communications major, said he has benefitted hugely from one of the programs. “The SYMBAA [Strengthening Young Men By Academic Achievement] program actually saved my life,” Stevenson said. “It has made a big change in my life.”

He said he was desolate and homeless. “I had no car, no nothing before I had involved myself with this program. It just has a sense of community, teamwork, and communication.”

Joining the program helped his confidence and he has been on the dean’s list for the two years he’s been in this program.

Stevenson said he “literally came from nothing,” but now, he is on his way to great success.

You never know what opportunities there are if you don’t try and put yourself out there.

Clubs, sports and special programs are designed to help you with all aspects of your life.

Whenever you join or become a part of something, you are opening new doors for yourself that will create many great memories and meet people who will be in your life forever.