Chapter 6: Personal Considerations
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Student Organizations
Social engagement and a sense of community is something that is important for a well-rounded post-secondary experience. It provides an opportunity to create social connections and get involved in topics that you are passionate about! This unit will highlight the numerous opportunities available at your postsecondary institution that strive to create social engagements and a sense of community.
Please see Seneca’s Clubs and Associations website for more details.
Student Governments
Your institution’s student government is a group of elected and/or appointed students that work directly with senior staff in coordinating various campus activities, policies, events, and other initiatives. Student governments work to best represent and execute the needs and interests of your institution’s student body by managing some campus health and wellness resources, allocating budgets for clubs, promoting sustainable campus programs and policies, and much more.
Student governments are integral to the functioning of any academic institution. These governing bodies allow students to voice their concerns, interests, and needs and are tasked with the incredibly important duty of advocating for their student body.
There are many opportunities to get involved with your institution’s student government. If you deeply care about your campus community and are passionate about enacting changes within your institution, excel in leadership positions, and are genuinely interested in government and politics, then a student government role might be a great way for you to get involved and leave a positive impact on your campus. By participating in your student government, you are given the opportunity to gain various professional skills, learn to work in a team, and network with local policy-makers and activists.
Student-Run Clubs
Your institution’s clubs community will serve as an integral part of your post-secondary experience. Clubs not only enhance student life but provide opportunities to make meaningful contributions to your campus and local communities. No matter what institution you are attending, you will be offered a variety of cultural, academic, recreational and social justice clubs to get involved in. There is surely something to join that aligns with your interests and passions! Joining club activities in post-secondary builds teamwork and leadership skills, sparks creativity, enhances social life and increases self-confidence. Additionally, by devoting time to campus clubs, you are giving yourself necessary breaks and diversions from your academics and studies.
Activity
Brainstorm 3 different areas of interest/passion. Then, head over to your institution’s club page and try to find at least one club/organization that aligns with each area. Explore each club/organization by checking out their social media pages, viewing the different available roles/positions, and learning about specific projects each club typically coordinates.
Connect With Your Classmates
A great way to meet other incoming students, learn important information, and have your questions answered by upper-year students is by interacting with your graduating year’s institution-specific social media pages! For example, you can join Facebook groups and comment on Instagram pages.
Please see the Seneca Student Federation (SSF) website for more information.