With 3 weeks left in the spring semester of my sophomore year at Susquehanna University, I want to talk about some amazing clubs that I have the pleasure of being a part of.
Prior to coming here as a freshman, SU sent out a "club interest form" of sorts where you could check off all the clubs you were interested in potentially joining once school actually started.
As I was looking through it, I saw heaps of really cool clubs and activities that my high school didn't have, such as an outdoors club, boxing club, and paranormal club. When I saw that on the list I got SO EXCITED because if you know me really well, you know I love ghosts and all things paranormal.
Also while searching, I saw that there was a belly dance circle, which was all it took to get me hooked. I didn't have much experience with dance, and zero experience with that kind of dance, but I wanted to try it regardless because it was so different.
Of course, I was a scared little freshman at that point and was immediately hesitant to go to either of these clubs unless I went with a friend. And thanks to the cousin of a friend from home, I did end up making friends rather quickly, so I asked each of them if they were also interested in either club. But no one else was, so I went alone.
When I first showed up at paranormal club, I thought to myself "what am I doing?" We did the typical college round of icebreakers and the executive board gave an introduction as to what the club would be like and then I felt more excited than nervous.
With this club, I have gone on several investigations, done two haunted houses (which I loved doing in high school), tabled at a couple local events, and gone on two trips to Gettysburg. I have met some great people who I am lucky to call my friends.
After a year and a half of being a loyal member, I was elected treasurer earlier this semester, and elections for next year are coming up this week. Aside from just being a fun club, I'm applying practical skills that I can put on my resume.
Of course paranormal club wasn't the only club to do the icebreaker introductions. When I went to the first meeting for belly dance circle, there were less people than paranormal club, which was both scary and comforting.
In belly dance, I was one of two business majors, which was something the exec board had seen very few of in their time there. Something I immediately loved about belly dance was the variety of people that were there. Overall, I felt comfortable around everyone and I looked forward to learning some moves.
In belly dance, I have performed at about seven different events of various magnitudes. We aim to do two in the fall semester and two in the spring semester, but last year we only did three total.
Our last performance was this past Tuesday night at an event on campus called "Take Back the Night" for sexual assault awareness and to celebrate the survivors of sexual assault. We only did a short set, but it was really empowering to perform there at all because everyone being so supportive of each other.
The last club I want to talk about is Dance Corps. I wasn't a part of it last year, but after going to last year's showcase to watch my friends dance (and crying at their dances) and then finding out one of my best friends was choreographing a class this year, I joined her class with my roommate.
Dance Corps has been great, because everyone is also so supportive and I've been told by a few different people that I didn't give myself enough credit for picking up the moves so fast. I can't wait to get the DVD of the show so I can watch all the dances!
If you've stuck around this long, I just want to stress how important it is to get involved on your campus and to choose things that you truly love. Then, they won't feel like more responsibilities, but will act as an escape from your work and troubles. Because you will find a family in each of them.