Without the opportunity to participate in the typical events that most incoming students would—such as living in dorms, rushing sororities or fraternities, etc.—it was difficult figuring out where I fit in best. However, as I got settled in and began getting more involved on campus, I realized that the connections I was building with others were not only improving my personal college experience, but helping open doors for future opportunities, as well.

One thing you can do to stay busy on campus is to attend your school’s involvement fair. Events like these are the perfect opportunity for you to explore all the various on-campus clubs and organizations, learn more about them, and potentially join them, if interested. These fairs are also a wonderful place to connect with like-minded people who share similar interests. During my first involvement fair experience, I was introduced to so many groups that I had never heard of prior, which gave me the chance to explore new hobbies and revisit old ones. After much deliberation, one of the clubs I decided to join was the CU Boulder chapter of Her Campus—an online publication geared towards the female college demographic—which helped me rediscover my love of writing and surrounded me with a community of welcoming and supportive women.

Another way you can get involved is by staying engaged and joining discussions during your classes. Capturing the attention of your professors and building connections with them is a great way to achieve success during your college years. Not only can they help guide you towards activities and events that will aid in your education, but they could also potentially open doors to internships and post-graduation jobs. Thanks to the bonds I’ve built with my professors, I’ve been accepted into exclusive internship placement programs, attended professional networking events, been invited to participate in student competitions, and countless other opportunities.

Other ways to participate in your college community include volunteering, joining fitness classes or intramural sports, attending workshops or seminars, assisting with a research or academic study, contributing to campus media (like a radio station, publication, or news channel), tutoring, or connecting with other campus resources. The relationships you build by getting involved during your college career could not only turn into lifelong friendships, but could also help with opportunities you encounter in the future. Furthermore, diverse experiences like these can help contribute to the full college experience while simultaneously preparing you for life after graduation!