Walking through the Activities Fair during my welcome week of college was an overwhelming experience that I still remember to this day. Coming to UCLA, a school with over a thousand student organizations, there were so many clubs to choose from. Did I want to try something I had never done before, like backpacking? Do something for fun to meet new people like the Meditation club? Or join academic clubs similar to what I had done in high school?

As an incoming college student, you are always told about the importance of joining clubs and organizations. They are a great way to meet new people that share enjoyment in the same things that you do, which can help you make new friends. They can also give you valuable leadership experience and skills for a future career. 

During your first semester, don’t think too deeply about exactly what clubs you join. While you may find that perfect club that you love and stick with for the next four years, that isn’t the case for everyone. My most important advice would just be to get involved on campus. 

Go to your school’s Activities Fair and website and research some student organizations that you could be interested in. Here is a list of different types of college organizations that you will probably find at your school! Hopefully it gives you a comprehensive start to get involved on your campus. 

Academic/Pre-professional Organizations

Academic Clubs are very popular on almost every campus. The best place to start looking for these is to search for clubs based on your major or degree program at school. For example, if you are an Economics major, you can start by looking at Business, Finance or Consulting clubs. Of course, you can also join academic organizations that don’t correspond to your major that you are interested in learning about. 

Academic and pre-professional clubs are great opportunities to professionally network with recruiting companies and they can be a huge resume booster. You can also meet other students in your major and make friends to study for classes with!

Some (of many) academic clubs you may find on your campus include: National Honor Society, engineering clubs, business fraternities, pre-law or pre-med fraternities, and marketing clubs. 

 Media and Publication Clubs‍

There are many different types of media and publication organizations you can find on your campus. From the school newspaper or magazine to campus radio, there are many positions in these clubs that cater to various skill sets. 

For example, if you are interested in writing or being a reporter, the newspaper would be the perfect fit for you. If you are more interested in design, music or advertising, you could be on the marketing team for your school’s radio. 

Media and publication clubs do a great job of integrating the interests of various people: from sports to arts to fashion to politics. If you are interested in joining one for fun or because it aligns with your career, it could be a great addition to your resume!

Community Service and Social Justice Clubs

If you are passionate about helping others and making a difference in your area, a community service organization might be the perfect choice for you. There are many community service clubs dedicated to helping children, disabled people, animals, the environment, nature, and so much more. 

These clubs will allow you to meet people while volunteering and serving others. They also show employers that you are dedicated and care for your community.

Some examples of organizations that you might be able to find on your campus are: UNICEF, Habitat for Humanity, Campus Relay for Life, or the NAACP Youth & College. 

Cultural and Religious Groups

Cultural or religious organizations are a great way to make a big campus feel smaller: you can meet people with similar backgrounds and experiences to yours. These groups aim to celebrate heritages from around the world, uniting people with similar identities. These clubs could especially be beneficial if you are an international student feeling lonely in a new country. Some cultural clubs on your campus could include the Asian Pacific Student Association, the Black Student Union, and the Hispanic Association. 

Religious clubs are also a good way to meet people and they can help you better understand your faith while being away from home. Schools normally offer clubs for various religions and activities such as Bible Study or group prayers can allow people to stay active in the spiritual parts of their lives. Some notable religious organizations are Hillel or the College Interfaith Council. 

Student Government and Political Clubs

Student Government clubs are important for students who want to work with the administration and be involved in the decisions made on campus. These organizations are a great way to show leadership on your resume and they allow you to strengthen your communication skills.

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Political groups are a way to meet like-minded people who are interested in issues that are important to you. They can also be beneficial if you’re majoring in Political Science or want to work in the government. Political clubs can help you make change with a group by lobbying politicians or networking with party leaders at any level. Some examples of political organizations are College Democrats, College Republicans, the Model United Nations, or the National Speech and Debate Association. 

Arts or Theater Clubs

If you want to have a creative outlet to express yourself, an art or theater club would be perfect for you. Maybe you love singing, painting, photography, or graphic design. There are definitely clubs on campus that will cater almost any artistic interest that you have. 

Theater clubs are also very popular because they work towards a show at the end of every semester. This could allow you to show everything you have accomplished in a tangible way to your friends and family. 

I’m in an A Cappella group at UCLA and it is one of the best ways for me to destress from school and do something I love! Arts organizations are especially fun for people who don’t get to focus on their creative side in the classroom. 

Sports and Recreation Clubs

If sports were a big part of your life in high school but you can’t play at a college level, you should definitely consider joining a club sport. Many campuses have club and intramural (IM) sports that allow students to compete or just play sports for fun. 

Some sports have recreational and outdoor-sy clubs such as backpacking or camping clubs. If traditional sports aren’t entirely your thing, maybe your school has a Quidditch, Fortnite, or Ultimate Frisbee club!

Joining clubs and organizations in college allows you to meet new people, try something new, or work towards your career goals. They are the best way to take your interests outside of the classroom. So many of the friends I made were from clubs where we were able to bond over our passions for the same things. 

Hopefully this list of college clubs and organizations can be a guide for you to feel less overwhelmed coming into college. This list is only a part of it, there are so many other types of organizations on college campuses that will likely cater to your interests. And if you can’t find one, don’t hesitate to get some friends together, advertise, and create your own club!

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