As a junior at UNC, I feel like I’ve got this whole college thing under control (at least on some days), and I think the best advice I could ever give to anyone going to college or thinking about going to college is to stop trying so hard to be cool.
We all know that one kid who thinks that they are literally the coolest person around because they hate on everything and never participate in anything — DO NOT BE THIS KID IN COLLEGE! Hating things is not cool; it’s boring. Like everything in life, college is a place where you get out of it what you put into it. So take a chance, get involved, be brave and do something outside of your comfort zone.
More importantly, find new people and share your passions, and ask what theirs are! As said by my true life hero, Amy Poehler, “There’s power in looking silly and not caring that you do.”
At UNC, you can do anything — slam poetry, Quidditch, whitewater rafting trips, flag football — so find your niche and get involved, even if you look silly doing it. Not only is being involved fun, but research shows that extracurriculars help students stay involved academically and give students a sense of belonging (Holloway).
Not interesting in the things I listed above? Check below for even more ideas for when you’re in college! These are some of the more unique clubs available at UNC, but wherever you go, there's sure to be a long list to choose from — and you might even be able to start your own.
Brewing Science Club, Chinese Culture Club, College Student Council, Cosplay School of Stitchcraft, Dance Alliance, Economics Club, Film Production Club, GHOSTS of UNC, Hawaii Club, Illuminerdy, Koburyu Karate Club, Men's Ice Hockey, Spectrum, Ultimate Frisbee, Women in Physics, and more!
See a full list of clubs and organizations at UNC.
Now that you’ve checked out the list and are prepared to get involved and find your niche in college, remember that you don’t have to wait until college to try something new (high schoolers, I’m looking at you). Savor the time you have left before college! Go to the dances and the football games, continue to make new friends, and make your time in high school a time to remember! You only get to be in high school for so long, so make the best of it.
natalie tanner
is a junior at UNC studying Psychology and Human Services. Natalie is the senior resident assistant of North Hall, a Social Media Ambassador for UNC, a former radio host, and an avid Amy Poehler fan. After graduation she plans to go to graduate school and become a therapist.
