I’m so excited, I just can’t hide it!
It’s Club Days in just over a day and I’m Wiig-ing out. Did you know UBC boasts over 300 student-run clubs? Like plants? There’s a UBC Botany Enthusiasts Club for that (my botany-, Carl Linnaeus-obsessed 8-year-old self is all over that). Live to eat? The UBC Food Society organizes dine-outs, tasting events, and hands-on workshops for the foodie living on a student budget. Whatever you want to do, whoever you want to meet, and however you want to do it, Club Days gives you the best opportunity to connect and get clubbin’.
As an undergrad, I was involved. This year, my last as a UBC student, I aim to take that several steps higher. Because going to school shouldn’t just be about studying, forgetting to eat, and living on Starbucks in the library. School should and needs to be about learning outside the classroom, exploring your passions and hobbies in a non-academic way, and meeting people with similar obsessions as yours.
In honour of Club Days, I’m giving you my totally non-authoritative top 5 reasons for why you should join a club. I will be, will you?
- Meet new people. Clubs vary in size surely, but the whole point is to do stuff together as a crew. And have fun doing it! Who knows, your new BFF might be waiting to meet you in the UBC Pottery Club. And if you don’t join and awaken your inner artist, you’ll never know!
- Face your fears. Joining a club is an awesome way to get so close to your fears you can smell their gross morning breath and laugh at it. Maybe you’re afraid of deep water, but scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list. Face your Jaws-inspired fear (one of mine) with the Aquatic Society of the AMS, for example.
- Cheap fun. Most clubs have very nominal fees. We’re talking $5 or $10. And the returns are huge. For the cash-strapped student (a lot of us), what other reason do you need?
- Beef up that CV. Pursuing an education or career in accounting? Join the UBC Accounting Club and get involved in organizing events or running for club leadership. You could learn valuable professional lessons and, most importantly, make valuable professional connections. Because it’s who you know and how you value and build those relationships that will get your foot in the door so you can smash it down.
- Have fun! You have to engage in self-care as a student and non-academic fulfillment is essential. No matter what club you join, how serious or not, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to make new friends, de-stress, and learn something new.
2015 Club Days will be taking over The Nest on September 23-25 from 10am-3pm.
What are your favourite clubs at UBC? Share with me on Twitter or Instagram!