Get Involved!

Be a Part of the Action, Join the Fun, Get Involved!

If you have officially become a Dawg, then you already know the amount of work you will be putting in to have a successful UGA career. That being said, we at HaveUHeard feel that being involved in some way is equally as important. UGA is big, and finding a way to make it not feel so overwhelming is important. Some students will choose the Greek life path by rushing a sorority or fraternity, but others will find that getting involved in the many other opportunities on campus is more their style.

Let’s not forget that some kids entering college are still teenagers. They will want to find their “tribe” and sometimes that can take a while. Joining a community where they feel like they belong can make the college transition easier. This is also the time to experiment with groups and organizations to discover their passions and strengths and to make connections for future resumes and employment.

Being involved requires time management. For some, staying busy is better than having too much time on their hands. That being said, one must look at their schedule realistically and decide what benefits them in all areas. So, now the question is where does your Dawg find the right club or organization? With over 700 official organizations at the University of Georgia, your student is bound to find “their people.” Firstly, keep an open mind and don’t settle for the first club that they visit. Attend informal meetings or a session or two. They may fall in love or need to keep looking. My daughter went the sorority route, but my niece joined a club that she absolutely loves.

Here are just a few places to start:

• Greek Life – There are 62 national Greek-letter men’s and women’s groups. They are run by different councils and offer many organized activities year-round.
• Tate Student Center – Many programs are run out of the popular hub of campus. It is known as “the living room on campus”. Offerings include on-campus movies to pizza nights.
• UGA SGA – Student government is an entity of itself. For all things leadership, SGA has many offerings. They also host fun events on and off-campus.
• Center for Leadership and Service – If you love to volunteer and want to make a difference, there are many opportunities such as Dawg Camp, Serve Athens, and Impact. Check them out!
• Recreational Sports – The Ramsey Center is home to all club sports, activities, and intramural sports teams. In addition to basketball courts, an indoor pool, a rock wall, and an indoor track, students will find fun classes and groups to participate in.
• Campus Ministry Association – UGA has many different faith groups with many activities. You’re bound to find like-minded people to hang out with.
• Organizations by Major – Finding a group with people with the same majors can be very useful. There are groups for Business majors to Pre-med, to students with interests in Agricultural Sciences.
• And More! would love to give you a list of all the different places your student can get involved, but UGA literally has over 750 recognized student organizations on campus. Your student can check for more information.

Encourage your students to be open-minded and to try lots of things. Getting involved makes the UGA experience that much better.

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