Six ways to get involved on campus

Participating in campus life outside of the classroom can lead to new friends, opportunities to explore your passions on a deeper level and a more enriching university experience. From student clubs to special events to working on campus, there are a lot of options available. Here are six ways to get more involved on campus.

Join a student club or association

Connecting with other students in your major is a good way to build a support network and learn from older students who have gone through similar courses and scheduling as you. For example, if you are a business student, you can join the Business Students’ Association. You can also join a club that aligns with your hobbies or passions, such as swimming, Dungeons & Dragons, rock climbing or chess, just to name a few. Download the VIU Students’ Union app to view them all.

Find work on campus

You’re a university student, so chances are you need money. Instead of heading off campus for a job, why not work for your school? You’ll learn more about university services, make some new connections on campus and likely find your supervisors much more forgiving of exam week schedules and other student life milestones. Visit CareerVIU to get started.

Attend campus events

Most post-secondary institutions bring in visiting lecturers, authors, theatre groups and more. At VIU, you can check out a play at the Malaspina Theatre, cheer on the Mariners varsity athletics teams, watch the Arts & Humanities Colloquium Series or the Science and Technology Lecture Series, and much more. Visit the Campus Events page for all options.

Become a tutor/mentor to someone else

Do you excel in one area, such as writing or math? Consider offering your services as a tutor. Many institutions hire students to tutor, or you can work for a volunteer tutoring organization that will match you with students who need help. This can be a good way to meet people outside of your major while gaining the satisfaction of helping others and solidifying the material for your own benefit too. At VIU, you can do this through the Peer-Supported Learning program.  

Join a sports team or try a new fitness class

Staying active improves your physical and mental health, and you don’t need to be an outstanding athlete to get involved in intramural sports. Most programs welcome casual and competitive players. Get involved in outdoor recreation with activities such as: kayaking, surfing, hiking and water rafting. Join a fitness class with an array of options to choose from, like morning yoga, outdoor cross training, boot camp, Zumba, spin and core. Visit VIU Mariners Athletics to learn more.

Get involved in research.

Participating in an on-campus research project is another great way to get involved. Students in almost any discipline may find positions assisting graduate students and faculty in academic research. At VIU, you can usually find the most opportunities in areas like psychology, sociology, science and engineering. If you plan to go to graduate school, assisting in faculty research may make you a stronger applicant. You can gain hands-on experience while working closely with a professor who may write you a recommendation letter to support your application.

My final suggestion is don’t forget to have fun trying out one or more of these ways to get involved on campus. Let me know how you make out!

Preet Parmar is a second-generation Canadian with hometown roots in Vancouver, BC. She is currently a Bachelor of Arts, major in Psychology student at VIU and her long-term goal is to enter the legal profession.