The best thing I have ever done in my undergraduate degree was attend an event for a student group. Was it awkward? Yes. Did it feel like a waste of time when I could have been studying? Yes. However, I do not regret it.

This one event made me realize that the group executives were not some all-knowing robots about the group’s special interest. They were students like me, just trying to find a community of like-minded people. They encouraged other students to go for opportunities I would never have thought to go for before.

This led to me applying for a research assistant position that summer at the university and a communications director position for that group the following academic year. I figured communications director would be a great starter position to understand how the group’s internal operations worked. The connections and skills I acquired in this position were invaluable. This encouraged me to get involved in other opportunities on campus.

One thing I have noticed when it comes to filling an executive role is it becomes addictive to apply when other opportunities open for other groups — even though it is stressful enough with the one role you have now. I believe it takes a good amount of self-control to hold yourself back and realize you will have too much on your plate if you apply for that position too.

The following academic year, I was the vice-president for this same student group that started it all, among the other opportunities that came up.

My involvement on campus has helped me build skills I would have never been able to build if I simply isolated myself to focus solely on my studies. I have developed my time management, networking, communication and event planning skills while also pursuing my degree. I took advantage of the resources my university offered so I could graduate with a comfortable amount of experience under my belt.

I know some students commute to school or work part-time and would rather do anything but be on campus any longer than they need to, but I think it is possible to find an event or workshop that is offered via Zoom and works with your schedule. Find a volunteer opportunity that is flexible for you. Regardless, you are paying university student fees that fund the student groups here on campus, so make use of these opportunities you are paying for.

Do you have a taste for student governance? The University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) elections are coming up. If UMSU does not interest you, look at your faculty or department associations. If you do not want anything to do with student governance, find a club or group that pertains to your major or a general interest of yours and attend one of their events. If you still do not like what you see, why not create your own student group?

According to a study from California State University, students who served as board members, orientation leaders, residential advisors and executives for an on-campus club maintained better GPAs, had higher good standing rates and achieved higher rates of retention and graduation.

Last term, I was concerned that I was too involved in extracurriculars to the point I felt I was neglecting my studies. I even convinced myself that it would be okay if my GPA dropped a bit because I was receiving valuable experience that would make me a well-rounded individual. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find my final grades and my GPA were still where I wanted them to be.

Take advantage of your degree. Utilize the services you pay for and build as many skills as you can before you graduate. Once you graduate, opportunities like the ones found on campus may not be as accessible to you when you enter the workforce. I am not saying it is impossible to get involved outside of university, but here, it is being offered to you on a silver platter.

Do not let these opportunities and experiences go to waste. Make the most of your degree while you can. Endless amounts of opportunities await you here in your campus community.

For more information on student clubs or organizations on campus, visit umsu.ca/clubs or umsu.ca/student-associations.