As we reach the middle of the Fall semester, we wanted to check in: how are you doing? While taking online classes certainly has its advantages, we’re sure there are moments when you miss the in-person environment of a classroom and being on campus. So, how do you address these feelings of disconnection during this time of COVID-19?
Even before COVID-19 and all the challenges it has posed, joining a student club was a great way to get involved with your college campus while meeting other students who are interested in the same things—or at least one similar thing—that you are. Granted, right now our Recognized Student Organizations (or, RSO—the official name of student clubs) aren’t meeting in person, they are nonetheless still meeting virtually and creating opportunities for you to connect, explore your interests, and to foster your sense of community, even if it is from the comfort of your own home.
For a current list of Student Clubs at TMCC, check out the Student Government Association (SGA) website where active clubs are listed along with the contact information for each club’s faculty or staff advisor.
Three Reasons to Join a Student Club Right Now
Although there are a million reasons why joining a student club can make your college experience more meaningful, we picked three reasons you should definitely consider before passing up this amazing opportunity.
- Become a part of a community that will enable you to develop your social and networking skills.
It’s no secret that COVID-19 has made feeling like you’re a part of a community a challenge. However, you don’t have to throw in the towel and resign yourself to feeling disconnected and alone... you can still get involved by joining a club. In some ways, a student club is a perfect solution for fostering connections, especially if you’re taking a full load of classes. Most clubs meet once or twice a month, which is just enough to help you to feel connected, but not enough to get in the way of your academic schedule. Student clubs are also offering their members opportunities to participate in safe, socially distanced activities. For example, Mike Chavez, who is the Recognized Student Club assistant and active in the Gaming Club, Phi Theta Kappa and the Truckee Meadows Veterans Club said these clubs connect him to other students in activities that are meaningful and fun. - Develop your leadership skills... or just put the experience on your resume.
If you envision yourself in a leadership role in the professional career that awaits after college, participating in a student club can help you develop those essential leadership skills in a safe environment. If you’re interested in using a club to develop your networking skills, think of joining the Business and Entrepreneurship Club or an honor society, like Phi Theta Kappa. “You really can’t go wrong with these professional clubs,” said Chavez. “They target networking and career building.” If you’re not looking for a leadership role, future employers will still be impressed by your initiative to take part in a meaningful extracurricular activity (psst... It looks great on your resume!) So, no matter if you want to be the next Club President or someone who pitches in once a semester, doing so says a lot about your fantastic character, and the experience will open doors in your future professional life. - Make new friends, and have fun!
We saved the best reason for last: of course you should also choose the things you do because they bring you happiness and joy. If you love to garden, dance, learn about other cultures, play video games, or create art, joining a student club focused on those activities will provide you with guided practice of the very thing you love doing. Plus, you’ll meet other students—and faculty— who share your passions. Chavez, joined the Gaming Club for exactly that reason. “We just play video games together,” he said. “It’s me and a couple of other students who just get together every now and then. A night’s never boring if you’re inside and you don’t want to get dressed to go out. It’s easy to hop online and see who wants to play a game, or even just stream Netflix together, where you can basically stream the same screen from different locations. It’s definitely nice...to have people to hang out with, even if it’s just on-screen.”
What if I need more information?
If you’re interested in what Student Clubs TMCC has to offer, join our Student Government Association on October 22 from noon–2 p.m. for a Virtual Club Fair, where you can learn more about the active student clubs at TMCC, and have an opportunity to earn prizes! If you “visit” two clubs during the event by visiting their designated Zoom break-out room, you can win a free TMCC T-shirt, and be entered into a drawing for a free 3-Credit Class next semester. Even better, if you have an idea for a new club, this is the event to attend—our Student Life and Development Associate will help you explore your idea.
In any case, what do you have to lose? By joining a club—or even exploring what clubs are out there—you’ll meet other members of our TMCC community, and that alone can help you feel connected.
Join the Zoom meeting using these credentials:
- Meeting ID: 936 2205 6952
- Passcode: 390853
Active Student Clubs at TMCC
Here is a list of Recognized Student Organizations that will be a part of the Virtual Club fair on Oct. 22:
- American Red Cross Club
- American Institute of Architecture
- Art Club
- Business and Entrepreneurship Club
- Dungeons and Dragons Adventure Club
- Gardening Club
- International Club
- Lambda Nu Honor Society
- Latin Dance Club
- Maxine S. Jacobs Student Nurses’ Association
- Phi Theta Kappa
- Queer Student Club
- Students Empowering Peers Professional Success
- Student Membership of the Dental Hygienist Association
- TMCC Student Chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Techs
- Truckee Meadows Cast of Delta Psi Omega
- Truckee Meadows Gaming Club
- Truckee Meadows Veterans Club
For more information about the Virtual Club Fair or other events hosted by the Student Government Association, contact the SGA at 775-673-7203.