Campus clubs and societies cultivate soft skills among students, improve grades and help in making connections that last a lifetime

Participating in club activities is a great way to meet new people, enjoy your time at university and ensure you strike a healthy balance between academics and social life. Emphasizing on the significance of clubs for students, Ms. Manisha Mohan, Dean, UPES, School for Life, says, “Clubs contribute towards the holistic development of students. They learn leadership skills, teamwork, communication skills as well as gain a comprehensive cultural understanding.”

Here are five ways in which clubs and organisations add value to your college life:

They help you develop soft skills: Activities are a great way to acquire life skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, and time management. You learn how to work with new people, manage conflicts and build relationships of trust. Clubs provide functional skills that eventually help to rediscover a new you.  Like sports develop sportsmanship and a never-say-die attitude, performing in an art club enhances your creativity and augments your understanding of human emotions, cultivating the ability to form strong interpersonal skills.

They improve your grades: Extracurricular activities can improve your grades and your overall performance in college. Studies on the impact of extracurricular activities show students, participating in activities have higher grades, more positive attitudes toward the institution and higher academic aspirations. Participating in activities you are passionate about can increase your brain function, help you concentrate and manage your time better, all of which contribute to higher grades.

They add the element of fun in college life: Another simple reason to join a student organization is to have fun. From cultural fests to camping trips, you never know what experiences await you on the other side of the road.  Meeting new people, making new friends, and participating in activities will help you make the most of your graduation experience.

They help you to network: Engaging in club activities helps you make new friends and network. You bond with people easily when you share similar interests or passions. Clubs and societies also facilitate meeting students outside of your immediate social circle.

“Students should develop new friendships and engage in a new social circle as they work toward their career goals. This task becomes easier through joining clubs that fit their individual interests, needs, and goals. A club not only provides endless networking opportunities, both on and off-campus but also teaches the students how to network.” says, Dr. Joji Rao, Coordinator, Clubs, UPES.

They add to your resume: Extracurricular activities are also a great benefit to a student’s resume when it comes to applying for foreign universities or jobs. It also reflects on your keenness to learn beyond the traditional classroom. Employers appreciate multi-tasking and contributions to the community. Recruiters highly value college graduates ready to take on leadership roles, and clubs help to unleash that potential. Joining a campus club will give you hands-on experience that will set you apart from the crowd.

According to Dr. Monika Manglik, Chief Coordinator, Clubs, UPES, School for Life, “Clubs provide a place for students to come together, discuss innovative ideas and accomplish common goals. Whether you join as a member or choose to lead one, you stand to gain a lot.”  

“UPES hosts a plethora of extracurricular opportunities for students via various clubs like Performing Arts, Art and Design, Film and Photography, Literary, Sports, Adventure, Health and Wellness. Besides these, domain-based student chapters and societies are offering a lot of action and fun round the year,” she adds.