Become involved in campus organizations

Jun 15 2009 - 1:00pm | Tristan Watson

Sitting alone in one’s room trying to figure out what to expect on this new journey called college is normal and expectable. Apprehension is one of the many feelings an individual may have.

Adjusting to college will be different for each person and every student will go through their own college experience differently. One of the best ways to adjust to college life is to be involved in the college environment, which can have a home-away-from home atmosphere. Texas State offers this kind of environment.

Texas State is filled with organizations and different campus activities, which give new and continuing students the opportunity to become better adjusted and more equipped in handling college-life. One of the reasons students flock to Texas State is because of the amount of focus and attention the university gives to students.

Various campus organizations and activities are student-run, which give students with different ideas the chance to collaborate and learn from one another. Becoming involved in one or more organizations is one of the best ways to adjust to college. This allows students the option to meet new and interesting people. Also, getting involved on campus is a way for individuals to learn new things and grow as a person.

Walking the campus may sometimes cause a student to feel inhibited and want to stay connected with familiar things. However, one of the greatest ways to get the best enjoyment out of college is to get involved. This saying may seem cliché, but it is true. Becoming comfortable and well adjusted to life here at Texas State starts with dabbling in different campus organizations and find which is best suited to a one’s lifestyle.

Another typical way to grow accustomed to life at Texas State is to stay on top of one’s work. Finding different organizations and activities to attend is great, but students will feel more adjusted and comfortable when he or she is able to maintain decent grades.

College is rewarding, but can also be, at times, demanding and intimidating. Maintaining control and not worrying about falling behind in one’s work is the greatest feeling to a college student. There’s nothing worse than falling behind and working vigorously to play catch-up. Becoming accustomed to college-level work takes time and a student shouldn’t feel pressure to try to keep up with others. A new student attending college and trying to become adjusted should learn how to maintain a work pace that works best and stick to it.

Texas State has various programs in place designed to make the transition into college-life a little easier. One of the most successful programs for new students is Paws Preview. According to the Texas State Web site, Paws Preview “is a transition program designed to give new students at Texas State ‘just in time’ information that will help individuals become successful college students.” The Web site also entails that “students’ first year at a new university can set the tone for an individual’s entire college experience — it’s important to get off to the right start.”

Collegeview.com states “campus involvement builds lasting friendships and a student’s social life is a huge part of the college experience. College is about the people students meet, the experiences they go through and the memories they make.”

As students embark on this new journey called college it’s important to become involved, be vigilant, fearless and optimistic.

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