STATE of Amusement

 Fun Clubs at Penn State

By: Team K

HOW TO FIND THEM

Early in the fall semester, Penn State hosts an Involvement Fair on HUB lawn. Student organizations set up displays and have members stationed at each booth to talk to students about what their club has to offer. Some even have treats and activities for you as an incentive to join their club! Although the Involvement Fair may seem overwhelming at first, there are large yellow flags that will help you figure out how to get to each club. There are also maps and guides to the orgs that are present to help you navigate your way around the different booths!

Previous Involvement Fair hosted on HUB Lawn

Take a friend and sign up for email lists for all the clubs you are interested in joining (you can always unsubscribe later – instruction can be found here). There are over 1,000 clubs to choose from, so if you are not sure what you want to get involved with, the Involvement Fair is a great place to start! It also lasts most of the day, so you can go to class when you need to and then come back later to visit any clubs you may have missed! There is also always the option to go to https://orgcentral.psu.edu/ and contact the club directly to learn more about it!

Jodi with Club Cross Country

WHY JOIN THEM

Now that you know how to find some of the many clubs and organizations Penn State has to offer, you may wonder why it is truly worthwhile to join a non-academic group. For starters, as first-year students in engineering and computer science, a lot of your time will be spent studying and doing schoolwork. However, taking a break from the stresses of school can be beneficial for both your mental health and overall college experience. Anyone, no matter how focused or driven, can use a break from time to time.
Additionally, clubs and organizations are a wonderful place to meet new people who may just become your best friends. It can be especially rewarding to make connections early on as it can be daunting figuring out how to make friends when you are new to campus. Various groups offer opportunities to exercise or even learn a new skill, so joining is a great way to broaden your horizons and try things that you may not have the opportunity to elsewhere. There are innumerable benefits to joining such a group. For instance, various studies have shown a connection between exercise and increased concentration, memory, and overall blood flow to the brain. Each organization comes with its own unique benefits, but it is important to remember to prioritize fun, not just school!

WHAT TYPES ARE OUT THERE

Penn State is home to over 1,000 clubs that cover a vast range of interests, and thus, it is very likely you will find a club that fits your interest! At University Park, you can find clubs focusing on topics such as music and performing arts, sports, philanthropy, special interests like THON Orgs, as well as Greek life societies. If you like running competitively or recreationally, perhaps Club Cross Country is a good fit. If you are looking to find new books to read, Book Club may be the best choice for you; or perhaps you really enjoy a good spooky story, then you should consider joining the Penn State Paranormal Research Society!
During my first year at Penn State, I joined a wide variety of clubs to see what I liked the best. I joined Ski Club, FSAE, Casino Games Club, Fly Fishing Club, and even attended some Ballroom Dance Club meetings! While I did not become a member of all those clubs, I found the experience to be a fun and positive way to branch out and try something I had never done before. Also, these clubs gave me amazing opportunities I may have never been able to take part in had I not joined that club. For example, my ski trip to Vermont with the Penn State Ski Club! I highly recommend visiting the Involvement Fair in the Fall and just strolling up and down the aisles to see if anything catches your eye. Most importantly, do not be afraid of trying something you have never done before, because that is what these clubs (and college) are for!

Hannah at Jay Peak, VT on a trip with Ski Club