Pilots young and old will flock to the upper mezzanine of the Chiles Center this Friday for the fall Activities Fair, where they will join email lists, snag fun-sized candy and grab free swag for the clubs and organizations that may fill their time on The Bluff. Interests ranging from knitting to improv to social justice will be met.
Although this is an opportunity for first-year students to get involved, it’s not limited to freshmen. Many students don’t find their niche until later in their college careers, and they say it’s not too late.
Senior Katie Bronk hadn't joined any clubs as an underclassman. It wasn't until her junior year that she joined the Financial Management Board, a subset of ASUP that helps the Director of Finance to allocate funds for student activities and organizations on campus.
“I have not been involved the first two years of college and I want to show that I’m committed to something more than a 3-month summer job,” Bronk said.
Bronk said one of the most daunting aspects of joining as an upperclassman was feeling inexperienced or unprepared for the position. She recalled fearing rejection because of her age.
Bronk continues to work on the Financial Management Board. Because she was brave enough to take the first step, she said, many doors have opened for her. Last year she was asked to join the ASUP elections committee.
“Just because you’re halfway through college, don’t think you can't meet more people or get involved with something that you never thought you could be involved with,” Bronk said.
Senior Angele Bruce didn’t join the University Orchestra and Wind Symphony until the second semester of their junior year. Looking back, Bruce spent most of their time as a freshman socializing and trying to make friends on campus. They didn’t prioritize getting involved with clubs when they first arrived to The Bluff.
“It felt odd joining a club,” Bruce said. “I just made a friend group.”
Bruce also remembers worrying they would be too busy with their schedule to get involved, but things changed in their junior year.
“I was finally comfortable with my classes and my professors and wasn’t taking as many credits, so I was just like, let’s get back into this,” Bruce said.
Bruce played percussion in their high school’s band. This experience made performing at the college level easier. But still, Bruce said the level of responsibility now is much higher.
Despite their late start, Bruce received support from professors Patrick Murphy and David De Lyser. Bruce said the two instructors were welcoming.
Because Bruce joined in these programs, they were asked to be in the pit for UP’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” last semester, an opportunity that Bruce said made them feel included.
Senior Alyssa Adriano, who joined the Filipino American Student Association as a freshman and is now a leader in the club, said that although trying something new can be daunting, you should just go for it.
“It’s actually not (too late),” Adriano said. “You can join a club and enjoy it for the year that you have.”
