By Mary Harris Dill, Special to the Journal with Editor’s Note by Emma G. Harrison
As a dual-enrollment high school senior taking classes at Pellissippi State Community College, I’ve gotten a small glimpse of what college feels like. Even though I’m still in high school, I’ve been able to notice how different college is — the independence, the responsibility, and the way everyone seems to be figuring out their next steps. That transition seems to be one that can feel both exciting and overwhelming at the same time.
Oftentimes, having a community can make adjusting to a new setting, such as college, much easier. Many students can use clubs and student organizations as a means to connect with others, build support networks, and explore opportunities for personal and academic growth during their early years.
A majority of students attending Pellissippi likely step onto campus knowing very few people, which makes it easy to feel isolated and disconnected at first. When I first started attending, I knew nobody aside from my friends who were taking dual enrollment classes, but from my experiences, I have seen that participating in clubs gives students a built-in way to easily meet others who share similar goals or interests.
Whether someone is into gaming, public service, environmental issues, art, preparing for a future career, or anything else, there’s usually a group of students who care about the exact same things. Although I have met many people through classroom interactions, it’s obvious how much confidence a community can give students when they find an intentional space to feel understood.
Clubs also allow students to develop skills that aren’t always taught in the classroom. By organizing events, communicating with groups, planning meetings, and working on team projects, students can learn skills like collaboration and leadership, two things that every workplace values. Praharsh Upadhyaya, a fundraising safety director at Penn State University, said on the university’s website, “… the knowledge, contacts, and experience you obtain from student organizations can influence both your personal and professional life in the long run.” Clubs and organizations prepare students for internships, jobs, and responsibilities beyond college. It gives them a space to communicate clearly, listen to others, and build confidence in their own ideas.
For many students, clubs also make the academic side of college feel more meaningful. The required courses don’t always line up with what someone finds interesting, so clubs give students a space to explore their genuine interests. With the opportunity to explore personal passions, this often carries over benefits into schoolwork by increasing overall motivation and allowing students to feel more engaged in their college experience. “College life involves more than just studying and going to courses; it’s also about developing personally, making new friends, and picking up useful skills that can be applied to your coursework,” Upadhyaya says. Clubs provide an outlet that can make college feel more balanced and a lot more manageable. By having a life outside of deadlines and lectures, students can grow and extend beyond their academics.
Even though I have not joined any clubs at Pellissippi State yet, watching how other students use them has shown me why they matter and inspired me to stay involved when I do get to college. They give people direction when everything else feels unfamiliar and confusing. They help campuses feel smaller and more welcoming. And most importantly, they give students a chance to grow into the version of themselves they want to become. When I graduate from high school and enroll in college, I will most definitely make it a priority to get involved through clubs.
Conveniently, getting involved at Pellissippi State comes with variety, choices, and efficiency. The Student Engagement & Leadership office manages clubs and can be contacted through email or visited on their website. They offer an abundance of clubs to get involved in. From the ASL club, hiking and outdoors club, multicultural club, short film club, and all the other organizations in between, there are so many options and opportunities!
By reaching out to club leaders and attending the Engagement Fair at the start of the semester, joining clubs, and meeting those involved can be a very easy process. In the end, joining a club isn’t just about participating in an activity; it’s also about building community and gaining confidence that can allow you to succeed academically, socially, and personally.
Editor’s Note
Well, you heard it here first! Joining an on-campus club or organization will no doubt positively influence your college experience! Luckily for you, our team at Imaginary Gardens is looking for passionate writers, editors, artists, and creative minds to join our student journal team! It’s a great way to share your voice, build your skills and resume, and connect with others.
Interested? Reach out to imaginarygardens@pstcc.edu. We would love to meet you!
