Wednesday was our semesterly involvement fair, and as always, the few who make it into Watkins were bewildered by the variety of interest on campus. I wrote last week about the importance of student organizations, and still stand by the sentiment. The Paladin has been my home every since I got here, and has taught me so much professionally, academically, and socially. I think everyone should join one, and the key word there is “one.”
One of the blessings of Furman is that it is difficult. If it were easy to attain a degree, one would have no buy-in to the actual information being taught. The faculty know the difficulty of the material, and also know their own expertise. Small class sizes mean more individualized learning, which allows for teachers to increase the depth of the curriculum while also being there to help. This is what keeps Furman at such a competitive level: the academic vigor.
If academics are at the heart of a college, as they truly are at Furman, then wouldn’t an extracurricular just add pressure? Why would an international student join one if they are already adapting to an entirely different culture and country? Why would a soccer player join FUSAB? Shouldn’t they be working out?
Like I said last week, it’s the community that draws these students to the organizations. When FCA gathers together, it is not because of FCA as an organization, it’s the people. There’s so many wonderful communities to choose from that it typically takes students many tries to find theirs. Here lies one of the most important virtues of being a Furman student, saying “no”. I found it so hard to say “no” until my sophomore year, but I am ever thankful for it.
Many will tell you that you will never have as much free time than when you are in college. That is true only on random Tuesday nights when you’re in the solar eclipse of the assignment/quiz/exam cycles. Typically, one is already busy between friends, work, and living (cleaning, groceries, eating, hobbies), and adding several extracurriculars seems insane. One has to walk a tight rope to be involved.
When advocating for involvement and student organizations, we should also be advocating for balance. It is so easy to fall victim to the busy culture around campus and grow anxious around friends thinking of work. This involvement anxiety occurs from being spread too thin, not a lack of organization or time management as many think. No amount of time management can add hours to the day (if you’re not Hermoine). It’s ultimately a sort of depression that clouds judgement, ruins the ability to be present, and throws priorities all out of whack. It’s too much “Yes” for one’s good.
That will ruin a college experience. At the end of the day, we’re all here to learn inside and out of the classroom. We’re not here to worry about meaningless club elections or greek life drama or maintaining a super wide net of friends. You’ve only got a certain amount of yourself to give around, so use it wisely. Take yourself fully into any room you enter. Work when you need to work and play when you need to play. Find that organization that fits you and your time, and drop the ones that don’t. Say “No” much more than “Yes” and be okay with the sound. What will result is you will be present, which is all you can ask of a college experience.
