My Life Beyond the Classroom
Clubs and activities are a huge part of any student’s college experience. They are an outlet to have fun, but they can also lead to lasting friendships or even job opportunities! I am a member of three different organizations on campus, all of which keep me pretty busy. I’ve developed valuable time management skills and had opportunities to take part in many new things that I wouldn't have experienced otherwise. I once read that you should try to join three different organizations throughout your college experience: one that goes with your major, one social organization and one where you can try something new. That stuck with me as well.
The best way to find one of the 250+ organizations on our campus is through WildcatLink. You can log in with your student email and find information about membership and meeting times.
Getting involved: Ballet Company
One organization that I’m excited to be part of is the UNH Ballet Company through the Department of Theatre and Dance. As a dance major, most of my performance opportunities are through ballet co. This semester, we are working on a showcase of some classical variations from Sleeping Beauty. We rehearse twice a week, and every member is required to take at least one technique course through the university. In the spring, we do a mainstage production in the Johnson Theatre. Dance Company also has a lot of members who are non-majors or minors, so if you want to keep dancing in college, feel free to audition. The same goes for our many intramural sports teams, including soccer, hockey and basketball.
Getting involved: WUNH Radio
Another organization I am involved in is student radio. Our station here is 91.3FM WUNH-Durham. UNH is lucky to have a major broadcasting tower and students who are a part of the station broadcast on the air across the seacoast. The studio is located inside the Memorial Union Building and features an on-air studio, a production studio, recording space and shelves upon shelves of vinyl and CDs. We also have a large library of digital music and often get sent songs from smaller artists before they are released. It’s a super exciting organization to be a part of and it allows me to learn a unique skill through the DJ training program all members go through.
I have my own show, and I often do shows with my friends. Sometimes they are at absolutely ridiculous times, but that’s half the fun. My freshman year I regularly did the 12-2 a.m. shift, but I always brought a friend with me and we made a lot of memories in the station.
This year, I have had the opportunity to take on a leadership role on the Executive Board. As Productions Manager, I get to work in the production studio and create public service announcements and promos that get played on air. I recommend taking on a leadership position if you can in anything you're involved in. It’s a lot of fun and it’s great life and professional experience.
Getting involved: Fraternity and Sorority Life
Finally, I am involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life, or FSL, here on campus. I am a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. KD is one of six social sororities on campus, and one of eight including affiliate chapters. Being in a social organization is more than just the stereotypical things one may think of upon hearing the word “sorority.” We are one of the most philanthropic organizations at UNH, and we focus on values and sisterhood in our house. We have events with local girl scouts, and we make an effort to be active all over campus, including supporting other FSL organizations. I have made great friends and lived in my chapter house since sophomore year, and next year when I move off campus all my roommates will be sisters of KD again.
I know that sorority life can seem intimidating to an incoming student, and I was definitely in the same spot when I joined. Just know that there’s no reason to be nervous in recruitment because most people are looking for the same thing you are. I have found that the campus culture at UNH is very open whether you’re a member of FSL or not, but we have an active group of fraternity men and sorority women if that’s something that you are looking for. I enjoy being a member of a group of women who value organization, academics and professional development. I think it’s a great way to meet like-minded students.
Wildcat tip
With all these activities, I have to be very successful at managing my time. I highly recommend getting a paper planner like this one. I like that the days of the week are on the left, so I can write in my classes and any meetings per day, and then the right side is just lined paper, so I can write specific tasks and assignments across from the day they correspond to. If you prefer digital, google calendar works great, or even the outlook calendar feature that you can manage in your school email. Finding a system of organization that works for you is key when you’re juggling a lot of different things.
