Involvement On Campus

What does “Get Involved” mean?

You have probably heard many people say that it is important to "get involved" at UNO, but what does that really mean? Involvement refers to the physical and psychological time and energy invested in the educational process (Astin, 1991). So, at UNO, when we say "get involved", we want you to find ways to benefit from UNO outside of the classroom. This can be socializing with friends on campus, but also entails making meaningful connections with the UNO community.

While academic study is your primary reason for being at UNO, there is still much to be learned by taking advantage of the many opportunities outside of the classroom. Through participation in activities such as membership in a student organization, internships, recreational sports, on-campus employment, athletics, and residential life, you will gain valuable skills that will compliment your academic education and make you a well-rounded individual.

Why should I get involved?

Involvement is the best way to help you adjust to life at UNO and to realize that you are a valuable part of the UNO community. You will develop relationships with other students as well as with UNO faculty and administrators, resulting in connections that will be important to your college success. Research indicates that students who are involved at their college or university:

• receive better grades
• are more satisfied with their overall college experience
• be successful in their academic program
• are more likely to stay in school
• are more marketable when job searching and/or applying to graduate school.

Furthermore, involvement positively affects:

Involvement Tips

• Choose opportunities that interest you. Some students are tempted to choose an involvement opportunity simply because it is what their friend(s) are doing. While participating with friends is fun, make sure you chose to get involved with activities that appeal to you. This way, you’ll get the most benefit from your involvement.

• Don’t be afraid to try something new. If you have never done ceramics before, don’t be afraid to join the ceramics club. Part of the fun of involvement is trying new things.

• Find a balance. Research shows that more involvement leads to more benefits, however, don’t over do it. Make sure you engage in various out-of-classroom activities, but don’t neglect your academics or your health.

• Don’t take on new activities all at once. When deciding which activities to get involved with, make sure you start slow and add activities as you get comfortable with your schedule. Taking on too much at one time can lead to burn out.

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