The first few weeks of school have flown (or, for some, crawled) by, and school is now in full swing. As students are finding their rhythm between classes, homework, and campus jobs, some have become so easily absorbed in their routine that they begin to feel isolated. It can be difficult, especially as a new or introverted student, to establish one’s place in our university enough to experience a sense of belonging. The campus is covered with posters of clubs inviting students to join their community, and it is almost an unspoken acceptance that everyone needs community. However, what exactly is community, and why is it so vital to an enjoyable college experience?
I went on a camping trip this past weekend, and having no WiFi or internet forced me to really focus on being present and enjoying my friends’ company. As I reflected on the increased feeling of connectedness, the importance of intentionality in relationships dawned on me. Some people say that a community is made up of people with similar interests or hobbies, and others say that communities naturally involve people linked by a shared culture or character trait. While these are all true, I think a big part of connectedness in community is intentions. As the old adage goes, “There is power in numbers.” Alone, the mental and physical ups and downs of life can oftentimes feel too much to handle, but together, surrounded by the support of a community, life looks so much brighter. As humans, we thrive when surrounded by people who bring positive communication, encourage us through difficult times, comfort us when we cry, and provide a space to rant about our daily lives. However, in my personal experience, the busyness of life simply makes it too difficult to be a community during the week. People tend to do their own thing for a few days and reconnect once the weekend comes. Connecting with others is not always an easy or convenient task. We all crave a strong support system, and so the question arises: how does one go about creating or joining a community, at Andrews in particular?
One of the easiest ways is to join a club. While the club fair was held last week, it is not too late to join a club and meet people who share the same culture, major, or hobby as you! Get involved in the spiritual community, whether it is by joining a praise team or small group or simply attending one of the various vespers and services held on and around campus. For those who enjoy their quiet time in Lamson, Meier, or the University Towers, try to spend some time in the various student hubs. There are several places on the Andrews campus that facilitate community: the Campus Center is always bustling with students and is a great place to meet new people, the recreation center in the basement of the Campus Center is a fun place to study or relax with friends, and the Andreasen Wellness Center is always buzzing with games, activities, and events (the hot tub is an added bonus). Keep an eye out for posters advertising various events on campus: there is always something to look forward to!
As the school year continues and we meet more people in class and in our dorms, the goal should not be to make as many friends as possible but to build two-way relationships with people who support us and make our lives enjoyable. Find friends who help you grow by being that friend to others. University is such an exciting time, and intentionally seeking out connections will help ensure you stay on track while having the time of your life.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.