Is Associating with Clubs and Social Activities during College Life Good Idea or Not - Research Paper Example

? College life involves taking several major decisions starting from the choice of college itself. This is the transition phase when a young steps into adulthood from a carefree school life to a more matured college life. This is the phase when the young adult feels lost in the transition between adolescence and adulthood. Thus, decisions become difficult and situations become demanding. One of the choices is whether to get involved in clubs, partying, and the other social aspects of college life, or abstain from them. Student life is full of challenges but these challenges provide opportunity for development. Associating with clubs and social activities during college life can be enriching but demanding in terms of time and attention. College student life is an enriching experience as it involves not just exclusive devotion to education but also lifelong learning experience and structures (Huang & Carleton, 2003). Club and social activities are activities that students participate in during their leisure time. Leisure plays a significant role in the modern world although in the past very little attention was given to leisure and leisure activities. College life is the most important part in any person’s life. Leisure activities undertaken during college life, influences students in many areas of life including job and life satisfaction. Studies have shown that there is a significant relationship between leisure participation, leisure satisfaction and life satisfaction. Activities such as participation in social clubs on campus help mould an individual towards handling larger responsibilities. This stems from the changed mission of colleges and universities as they strive towards holistic development of an individual. Participation in activities during college life falls under extra-curricular activities which plays an integral role in collegiate experience (Tenhouse, 2011). These activities complete the college’s academic curriculum and thereby augment the student’s educational experience. Students get an opportunity to interact with other students apart from class interactions. Students are at their natural when they interact at the social level. Student peers are an important source of influence on the overall development of an individual. It also influences the affective and cognitive development of the student. Participation in clubs and social activities leads to well-rounded development of the individual, which is the principal focus of such activities. Involvement in such activities impact the emotional, intellectual, social and inter-personal development of students. Participation stimulates their thinking and analytical skills, enhances their organizational ability. It also helps students to learn to manage conflicts, negotiate and communicate effectively. It fosters team spirit and enhances leadership qualities. They adapt other skills such as time management and academic competence as they also mature socially. It enhances their self-esteem and self-confidence as they gain autonomy and learn to appreciate others’ similarities and differences. As pointed out by Huang and Carleton (2003), participation in social activities and membership in college groups can be enriching. It helps students develop skills specific to their career path which leads to job success. Job success implies job satisfaction and ultimately satisfaction in life. Social activities enable the students to link the academic knowledge with practical experience which helps them understand their own talents and abilities. Experiences of this kind prepare a student for the first job as these reflect in the curriculum vitae and students often receive placements while still on campus. Tenhouse finds that participation in clubs and activities has a positive impact on attaining a bachelor’s degree and on educational aspirations. Such students also develop higher ambitions and aspirations than students who do not involve themselves in extra-curricular activities. Campuses have become diverse and hence students desire an environment in which they feel connected to others as well as to the university. Participation in clubs and social activities provides them with a platform to discuss pertinent ideas and issues, and accomplish goals (Tenhouse, 2011). Social groups provide other benefits as well. Every individual goes through emotionally difficult periods in their life. Social groups and clubs provide support at such times which helps to ease the emotional burden. Clubs and social groups help bring balance in their members’ lives, balance between the college and personal life. Moreover, when students become involved in groups that involve their hobby, the interest in the hobby can be sustained because of the support from the peers. Competitive environment brings out the best in the students as they are motivated to give their best. This can also lead to creativity and innovation. Future employers know that education is not limited to classroom and hence the higher the exposure the better the learning experience. Through participation students gain first-hand experience in planning and publicizing an event, in managing budgets, in recruiting volunteers and in being a leader (PGCC, 2011). Social clubs in colleges provide valuable contacts through networking which helps students to land their first job after completing their education. However, social groups call for monetary involvement and many keep away because of the costs involved. There may be membership dues and very often the members are forced to buy the t-shirts or other mementoes which may not be affordable by all (Carole, 2007). Decision should also be based on which social group the student feels comfortable in. this can be done by gathering information from the past students of the college, which will help the student to take an informed decision. However, while participation has so many benefits, if overdone, it can lead to disadvantages too. For instance, a student in one of the engineering colleges was so carried away by the extra-curricular activities and participation in social clubs, college magazines and various associations, that he completely ignored the academics. He forgot that academics were the purpose of his enrolment at the college. As a result, he received laurels, rewards and recognition in his activities and associations with various clubs and activities at the college but he failed miserably at the college exams. When students realize they may not get through the exams, there is a tendency to resort to unfair means. The passion for success as a club member or as the leader of the social group lures them away from the studies, which is the basis or the foundation for one’s life. Thus, a balance has to be maintained in attending and participating in social group functions and in attending to studies. In nutshell, joining social clubs has many advantages but the student must be sure of the benefits and the disadvantages. In other words, the cause and effect relationship has to be clearly understood. While the cause is the desire to be active and develop a network, the effect can be disastrous if a balance is not maintained. A student must take an informed decision weighing the costs in terms of time, money and attention. Participation moulds a person to pursue his passion, helps develop contacts, enhances self-esteem and boosts confidence. However, one has to evaluate the various clubs and join only such clubs that are of interest to him and that would benefit him in the future. The decision should also be based on the monetary involvement, and also on the involvement in terms of time. College life should be taken as fun and not just studies. To have fun and to enjoy college life, to be enriched with experience, calls for active participation in clubs and social groups. Students entering college are usually indecisive and not mature enough to take a decision right away. They may prefer to wait for a semester before they decide which group they would like to be associated with. They can take their time but take the right decision so that the basics are not compromised with. Social clubs and groups have definite advantages but should be in moderation and the groups should be chosen with discretion. Works Cited Carole, Melissa. Prepare for College Campus Social Clubs. Associated content. 26 November. 2007, web. 15 June. 2011 . Huang, Chun-Yes, Carleton, Bill. "The relationships among leisure participation, leisure satisfaction, and life satisfaction of college students in Taiwan." Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness 1.2 (2003): 129-132 PGCC. Prince George's Community College. Making the Most of Having Fun. 2011, web. 15 June. 2011 . Tenhouse, Amy. State University. College Extracurricular Activities - Impact on Students, Types of Extracurricular Activities 2011, web. 15 June. 2011. . Read More