Justin Fernandes, 3rd year Honours Physiology student, ponders the breadth of involvement opportunities available at UBC, and how to find your place amidst all the craziness.
It’s that exciting time of year again! No, not mid-terms, RECRUITMENT! That’s right, only half the year is gone by, but it’s already time to start recruiting for next year’s batch of Peer Programs superstars! While this may be a scary endeavor for many of you (I hate interviews), it can lead to some of the most amazing experiences on campus and I would wholeheartedly recommend getting involved.
The problem that many may face, however, is what to get involved in? There are just so many options, from Peer Programs (how many in that category itself?), Orientations, and even Jumpstart, the new introductory program for international students. Everything sounds so amazing, why not just be a part of it all!?
That, however, is one of the main mistakes in approaching the matter. While getting involved in campus life is one of my favorite experiences of my undergrad career, I have to say that if I did everything that was presented to me, I would die. Not even kidding.
I think it’s really important to consider the latest slogan that the Centre for Student Involvement is advertising: Find your Lime, Choose Well, Not All. Speaking as someone who initially did take on more than he could chew last semester, I cannot overstate the importance of this message. While it may seem fun, spending sleepless nights on all your activities, followed by more sleepless nights cramming for exams gets immensely tiring. As always in life, a balance of everything is the key to success.
So what do I recommend, in terms of applying? First of all, applications are due this Wednesday,February 8th (Apply now!), so if you haven’t applied yet, you don’t have much more time! Second, applying for an Orientations program (Imagine or Jumpstart), as well as 1 or 2 (if you are sure you can commit!) Peer Programs is a great way of maintaining a balance, since one will keep you busy at the beginning, while the other will maintain your interest throughout the year.
Finally, this message is for beyond applications for this year’s Peer Programs, as many organizations across campus are currently looking to hire. There are so many other ways to get involved, from clubs, to Undergraduate Societies, and much more, but it is always important to find that balance in your life – where you are able to not only maintain the extra-curriculars, but also keep everything else going well. Remember, find that one thing that inspires you the most, and give it your all! Doing fewer things extremely well is always better than doing more things half-heartedly =D
Justin Fernandes
Peer Academic Coach
3rd Year Physiology Student
