By John Swartzwelder ‘19
My first memory of the Co-Curricular Extravaganza was somewhat of a blur- and here’s why. The room was noticeably hotter than outside, more hectic than NYC during rush hour and louder than ten million girls screaming Justin Beiber’s name. Just about every club on campus is tightly packed into the Hogan Ballroom and overly enthusiastic RSO’s do just about anything to grab your attention to hear their club’s sales pitch. But do not be discouraged from going- if I survived and was able to meet with some clubs then you can too! Below, I’ve provided some advice to help you navigate the Co-Curricular Extravaganza and make the most of your experience there.
- Grab a list of clubs present. If you skim through the packet quickly, you can save yourself a lot of time walking around. You can find the list just outside the ballroom.
- Walk around and take everything in. Maybe walk around again. And again. You may just find something that catches the eye the second time around.
- Do not be afraid to talk to the club director or general member at the table. You can ask them general to specific questions, which may give you a better idea about the club.
- Put your name down on the email list! If you change your mind later, you can always take your name off. It is best to receive emails from clubs regarding informational sessions and general member meetings.
- As a reward for being interested in their club, most tables provide freebies. Take them!
- Do not feel pressured to join anything, especially if you already feel too overwhelmed. I express this piece of advice especially towards first-year students. Life at Holy Cross is hectic enough- your class dean recommends joining no more than two clubs and stresses the importance of academics first.
- Just have fun! Holy Cross truly prides itself on creating and fostering “community” ideals, which starts with students getting involved with various clubs and organizations. Hopefully by the time you finish browsing, you will have found a co-curricular, or two, that truly interests you.
And on a final note, if you do join a club…Congratulations! Becoming a member of any campus organization is a full commitment but also extremely rewarding. My last piece of advice is to stop by the Center for Career Development to start or approve your resume, which will showcase all your accomplishments and highlight your on-campus involvement. Hours are M-F 1-4 pm and Wednesday 10am-12pm.
