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Should students join clubs on campus?

I recognize a few downsides to the number of student organisations on my campus, especially in how resume- building opportunities appear to drive these numbers more often than a personal desire to help your community. But that doesn't outweigh the positive impact such memberships can have on social and emotional development for college students and on boosting their soft skills. Soft skills are "people skills" that allow us to effectively interact with others, like communication and work ethic.

Campus clubs are spaces where students are encouraged to be themselves, make potential mistakes, miss deadlines, and use their experiences to grow in a supportive environment. Joining a student organisation presents many opportunities to learn more about yourself, your goals and your strengths. You can learn from how others handle certain situations and test your current knowledge. You can also find out what you're good at, whether that's multitasking, staying organised, generating ideas, or serving others. This self- awareness will be beneficial in your future career.

Some of my peers have mentioned the issue of over- committing when they're pressured to be involved. When classroom work increases and time feels like it's running out, it may feel like there is no other option than to drop a commitment or two. In my experience, many student clubs welcome conversations about needing some time. In spaces run by others who may be struggling with work- life balance, I have never had a club tell me that stepping back isn't an option or that there won't be space for me when I feel ready to return. From sports and wellness focused organisations to cultural, or creative groups, there is space for everyone in a student club on my campus if students choose to seek out those opportunities.

On the other hand, student clubs don't really foster a community. They divide the student base. While student clubs can bring a sense of community to students, oftentimes this creates a problem for students with social anxiety to feel that they can fit in. When there are a lot of different student groups, it can become overwhelming to attempt to fit in with the rest of the crowd.

Many student clubs also require funding in some part from students, or at least investment from students to fully participate in their group, which becomes a factor that may leave those who join the clubs left out.

Some student clubs promote themselves as good job experience for the real world. But resources to help students succeed in life should be available to students from the outside. Additionally, student clubs require a time investment to reach these opportunities. This allows for the attitude of earning one's way to an advantageous position in society when it all comes down to knowing the right person. Thus, the problem of alienation goes beyond how many people someone can know around campus. Shouldn't success be valued on the effort someone makes, and not on the luck of knowing the name of a different person of repute?

If you want to assist the community, seek ways to increase the benefit toward those outside of your set social circle to see how many people the campus community really has that can benefit from your resources — both formal and informal. Student clubs are a great way to contribute, but only if they create an inclusive environment.

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The house near the lake

In spring Sofia decided to rent a house. The house that Sofia rented at Lake Bala was even better than she 30 --1) revised2) reviewed3) remembered4) reminded from when she drove up to see it, along with several others. It was a big beautiful old home. Obviously, it was well looked 31 --1) before2) after3) for4) over. It belonged to a family whose children had 32 --1) grown2) raised3) brought4) risen up and now had children of their own, according to the realtor. They still used it in August, but had decided to rent it in July for the first time.

The house was big and comfortable. There were six cozy bedrooms, a bunk room on the top floor, enough bathrooms for everyone, a huge living room and dining room downstairs on the main floor with fireplaces tall enough to stand in, wooden beams and panelling throughout the house. What Sofia liked very much was a big, old-fashioned kitchen where you could 33 --1) really2) merely3) hardly4) rarely prepare meals for an army. And down the slope at the edge of the lake, there was a boathouse with two speedboats in it, a sleek modern one and an old wooden dock that had been impeccably cared 34 --1) after2) of3) off4) for.

The whole property was ringed with beautiful old trees, and there was a tennis court behind the house that had been built fairly recently for teenaged grandchildren. Sophie’s granddaughter was 35 --1) enjoyed2) thrilled3) adored4) preferred when she saw the house, and ran from room to room trying to decide which one to sleep in. Sophie was happy that she could 36 --1) allow2) achieve3) approve4) afford renting this house.

30. 1) revised 2) reviewed 3) remembered 4) reminded 31. 1) before 2) after 3) for 4) over 32. 1) grown 2) raised 3) brought 4) risen 33. 1) really 2) merely 3) hardly 4) rarely 34. 1) after 2) of 3) off 4) for 35. 1) enjoyed 2) thrilled 3) adored 4) preferred 36. 1) allow 2) achieve 3) approve 4) afford