Extracurriculars in University: Finding Your Fun

Almost every time I think of it, I find myself marveling at the sheer variety of things one can do in their free time on the Warwick campus. As a student at university, finding something you are passionate about, enjoy doing and is fun ranks right up there on the priority list.

Come along on my journey where I found (and keep finding) the right mix of extracurricular(s). Whether it’s that one society you deeply associate with or dabbling in various activities from painting to conferences, it’s all there! Before we begin, I’d like to caveat to my readers that this is my personal experience. Your interests, mindset and journey may vary, but I assure you the experience is just as much fun.

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The society fair in freshers week was my first glimpse of how much Warwick had to offer. The over-enthusiastic fresher in me had already mapped out the societies I wanted to join. On campus though, the energy and buzz had me drawn to everything new to me. A main attraction was the sports societies. The ever-present question popped up again. Could sports really be for me? The sports societies, as do others, welcome people of all skills and that got me all excited. Some people excel at sports, some people cannot handle a ball to save their lives. Unfortunately, I fall in the latter category. So, if you’re a sports buff, I have nothing for you. That short-lived dream lasted all of fresher’s week. That said, I still might go back and try sometime. Never say never.

A crucial part of the experience is finding a little bit of home here. This especially rings true for international students. Societies focusing on culture, faith, food, or language work magic and help cure some of that initial homesickness. What’s more, they are a proven method for finding like minded students that are likely to become great friends as you navigate these experiences together. With the diversity on the Warwick campus second to none, you will definitely find what you are looking for.

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For those of you who want to find new experiences and also break out of your comfort zone, think academic. Academic societies are not as intense as they seem and you will find people with common interests there, making for some charged, interesting conversations. If you really like the subject you’re studying (and I do hope you do), there are often things you can take part in that will further your understanding and potentially help the flame burn brighter. You often have access to guest speakers who have charted paths in their chosen careers, and give you a glimpse of how the world of work. I recently attended the ‘Females in finance” conference.  With an array of successful women in attendance, it was a very fulfilling day. The speakers were not only empowering but genuinely helpful to students expecting to pursue finance. I came away re-energized, filled with ideas and thinking… the future is female!

Mid-term, I started to think about how I would need to get some form of exercise into my schedule. With sports a non-starter, I turned to other things. In my case, it was dance. In the span of a few weeks, I gave everything a try, from hip hop to bollywood and thoroughly enjoyed the sessions. Ultimately, I went back to my love, a dance form I had received years of formal training in, the ancient and beautiful Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance. Term one ended with the knowledge that I had found what was my perfect balance of extracurriculars with academics.

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Now, back on campus, and armed with my experiences, I’ve found that going the extra mile has become like second nature, and I truly enjoy every opportunity and experience I choose to take part in. I do these things not for my resume but for myself. I invite you to do the same and hope this blog has motivated you to try out various things so you can find the perfect mix that is just right for you.