Benefit from getting involved!

 

Life at Temple University is more than just lectures and homework. An awful lot happens outside of class. Here are a few reasons you'll benefit from joining a student organization at the College of Engineering.

 

1. Keep your habits

Not all habits are bad. Chances are you did a few after-school activities to help your college application (hopefully you actually liked some of them). Same idea here. While you are much more mature now, this is one of the better routines you may have had from high school that works for life at Temple. The difference here is that there are so many more options on campus and in the College of Engineering, and these routines can have a lifetime of benefits. So, stay busy and stay involved. It keeps you focused.

2. Go through it together

You'd have to be in a cave not to realize that Temple has a BIG population. This is the most students on any single campus in the Commonwealth outside of University Park. You can't expect to know everyone. However, student groups will definitely help you to meet some people with similar interests. You probably have hundreds of acquaintances already, but joining a student group will give you a base of friends that are in the same courses or have passed that class recently — and commiserating is a great basis for friendship. Chances are you'll be happy to see them when you walk into class or have someone to call for help with assignments and studying.

3. Push your boundaries

Do you want to try something new? That's part of the great experience of college. At a school like Temple, opportunities abound to learn a new skill or do something different. A great way to explore is to join a student organization. At the College of Engineering, each group has a specialty that teaches new skills and offers a chance for members to do something unique. You can help build a formula-style race car or work in the community with students in Philadelphia or abroad. They will challenge you but the experiences will be rewarding. You might even get to apply something that you learned in a class. So go on, give it the old college try.

4. It's who you know

Student organizations do things. They participate in competitions and go to conferences where professionals in your field congregate. Many have a faculty advisor. Chances are you'll see one of those professors later in a class. There's a good possibility that might help you. Faculty advisors often run labs or have the inside track to prestigious internships. Their recommendations look good to employers. They can open doors. Not to mention that your fellow students will someday be your professional network. These groups are your first chance to be involved with what will become your professional organizations when you move into what's next after college. It's a great way to get a jump on your career path. So get out there and make those connections!

5. You'll do better in class

I'm sure someone has told you this already. Studies continually show that active students do better in classes. College is hard. Having a support system, study partners and the other benefits of membership with a student organization leads to better grades and better outcomes. Which is the whole reason you're here, right?

Join the College of Engineering on September 28 from 11:30-2:30 in the Engineering Building lobby for Get the Scoop, the College's 1st annual student organization open house. Oh, and free ice cream!