With a new Mississippi State University semester kicking off, the bulletin boards are full of flyers promoting an array of ways to get involved on campus. Still, there might be some students in need of help with finding ways to get involved and understanding the benefits of student involvement on campus.

The first place students should stop on their journey of finding out how to get more involved on campus is the Center for Student Activities. Starting there, one will find a list of the many student organizations that are housed on MSU’s campus. Each student organization offers something for everyone and students may realize more than one organization is right for them.

One of the most efficient ways students can be informed and educated on the different events happening around campus is to stay up to date on the calendar of events in the Center for Student Activities.

Another great place for students to learn about diversity and ways to connect with and learn about different cultures is visiting the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center.

Ra’Sheda Forbes,  director of the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, said studies continually show the more students engage and get involved in activities, the more likely they are to be retained at an institution of higher education.

“I think that student involvement is particularly important at MSU as enrollment numbers are continually increasing,” Forbes said. “We want students actively a part of what the University has to offer.”

Forbes added that although there is not a certain class level of students that get involved more than others, there are grave differences in the dynamics of student involvement.

“As seniors approach graduation, they may be less likely to get involved in student organizations, but may be involved in other capacities, such as study abroad, internships and job shadowing,” Forbes said. “There also has the tendency to be more programs for first year students to ensure that they are actively involved.” 

Senior  Alex Maxwell  said although students are here for an education first, it is important to get involved on campus to hone skills that you can take with you after you leave college.

“I would tell freshman and anyone else looking for ways to get involved on campus to just get out there and take a chance, it will definitely help to start with the website, one.msstate.edu, where students will find all of the different categories of the different organizations you may be looking for,” Maxwell said.

Students may be nervous or find it difficult to get involved on campus, but with the many organizations here on MSU’s campus, there is a place for everyone. 

Students like junior animal and dairy science major Heather Martin feel one of the most effective ways to build long lasting friendships is to get involved in campus activities and events.

“Personally, I have gained a load of experience by getting involved, and I plan on maintaining those skills, so I can be better equipped for the future,” Martin said 

Martin added when she went a semester without getting involved at all, she felt out of place and at odds compared to the many other semesters she utilized the option of getting involved.

“I encourage all students to get and maintain student involvement in activities and organizations because you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by doing so,” Martin said.

Students can take advantage of the MSU website or dropping by the Colvard Student Union, as well as Montgomery Hall, to find out more ways they can engage in student activities.