With over 300 clubs and organizations on Villanova’s campus, there is always something happening on campus. It can be overwhelming to figure out what to get involved in. Many Villanovans are eager to sign up for a wide variety of activities to show they are involved, but by signing up for so many things, students miss the point completely. Being involved at Villanova is not about how many things you do, but how dedicated you are to the groups you are in. To fully embrace Villanova’s involvement culture, students must thoughtfully pick what they want to devote their time to. To do that, students should spend time thinking about the following.
What clubs were you in during high school? When deciding how you want to spend your time on campus, thinking of what you really enjoyed in high school is a good place to start. The clubs you just participated in to put on your college application do not count. The places you are going to be happiest and find people that you want to be friends with are going to be in these places.
What are you passionate about? While you may not have decided on a major or career path, everyone has something that they are interested in. On this campus, you can find a club associated with any passion, or you can even try something completely new you think you might like. But if you want to dive deeper into something–like the environment, or car racing, or baking–there are plenty of clubs eager to accept new members. Do you want to help other people? Learn another language? Read more books? At Villanova, there is truly something for everybody.
Does it matter to you? Some Villanovans join groups like NOVAdance or Special Olympics because of the unique meaning it holds for them or their family. If you align with a specific value, experience, or cause that a club promotes, joining is a great way to meet like-minded students to bond with. Contributing to something bigger than yourself, like fostering civic engagement through Let’s Vote Nova or volunteering with Special Olympics athletes as a Local Program Host, can create an impact that extends beyond campus.
So now we’ve narrowed down the clubs you want to be a part of, but exactly how many should you choose? Really, it’s up to each person and their schedule, but it is critical to understand that it’s impossible to be in two places at once. Not overbooking yourself is key in college, so picking clubs that align with your schedule and passions is best. Consider how much homework you have during the week, when you have class on certain days, and if you want to get a campus job or research opportunity. Be comfortable in your ability to say “no” when something might not work with your schedule, and dedicate time to what you really want to be doing. At the end of the day, there’s no such thing as being too involved or not involved enough, it’s all about what you choose to make of your time here on campus.
