How to get involved at Tech
You’ve had time to get used to Tech, now you need to get involved
We are now halfway through fall semester! As a junior, I know I have been really busy. But at this time my freshman year, I still wasn’t involved in anything on campus. It was intimidating to show up to club meetings alone and not know anybody, and I didn’t know about all my opportunities. Below are a few tips on how to get involved on campus if you are looking to enhance your college career a bit more.
Check your email
Actually read the emails you get from organizations you signed up for at Gobblerfest. You probably already put in some effort to get involved, so why not follow through? The emails usually tell you all the information you need to go to the meetings.
Buddy system
Find a friend to go with to a meeting. It can be intimidating walking into a room full of people you don’t know, so go with someone so you have a friend to sit with. Over time you will get more comfortable and won’t have to use the buddy system.
Pay attention
Check out A-frames and posters on campus. Just by paying attention to little posters on bulletin boards or stopping to talk to someone passing out flyers on the Drillfield, you may learn about something you love! I joined one of my most meaningful organizations on campus by responding to a mass email. You never know what you will come across.
Greek life
If it’s your thing, rush a sorority or fraternity. You may be surprised by what you find. Greek life doesn’t have to be like the stereotypes you see in movies, so even if you aren’t sure about it, it can’t hurt to look into it. Sorority recruitment sign up is occurring now, and there are some fraternities that will be doing spring rush as well.
Leave your room
Go to general events on campus. Even if the event is the Thanksgiving meal at D2, you never know whom you will meet or what you will find out about.
Be basic
Probably most importantly, do classic Tech things. Go to football games and basketball games. Plan to participate in the Big Event and Relay for Life. Go on hikes in the area.
Try it out
Try things you’ve never done before. You may just find something that you love. Even if you end up hating it, now you know that organization isn’t for you.
Virginia Tech has hundreds of events and organizations to get involved in. You are bound to find something you enjoy. Put yourself out there, and your college experience can only get better!