By Satyne Doner, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Every year around this time, Saint Leo University students flock to campus with one thing on their minds: going to class and going back to their dormitory or home.
Freshman students fall into this trap of monotony, and before they know it, they are seniors, wishing they had made the most of their college experience.
Don’t fret. It’s never too late to get involved on campus, whether it’s your first day or the beginning of your last year at Saint Leo. In fact, studies show that students are more likely to be successful in college the more involved they are.
Joining a club, hanging out with friends, and participating in events are all ways that students can gather a sense of belonging and make the transition from high school to college easier. For upper-level students, these activities can provide a fresh outlook on the semester and stimulate new passions.
The question always heard from students is “How do I get more involved on campus?”Ashley Phelps, assistant director of student and family engagement at Saint Leo, asserts that clubs are not the only way students can develop deeper roots.“
Jump outside of your comfort zone,” Phelps says. “We have over 50 organizations on campus, and if that seems overwhelming, I would start by going to an event.”Saint Leo is known for its popular bingo nights, where students can bond with each other and win free prizes. There are also icebreakers such as game nights, movie nights, and cultural events.
Opportunities like these can be found on EngageLeo, which every student has access to using their school login. This website shows a roster of events, clubs, and news.
This can be a fantastic way for residential students to meet new friends. Additionally, for commuters, Saint Leo is unveiling their newest project: the commuter lounge.“
We’re going to have a commuter lounge this upcoming year,” Phelps says. “Students can head over there and hang out with other commuters.”
Phelps stresses that every student, regardless of their year, is welcome to visit her office in the Student Activities Building. Her passion is engaging and connecting with students, so she enjoys helping.“I just had a senior come into my office wanting to get involved on campus,” Phelps says.
“I think there’s always an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone … there’s always something happening, you just have to make that first step.”
She encourages students to say hello to her at events —she says the beauty of Saint Leo is there are always friendly faces around to make students feel welcome.
Faculty has been eagerly preparing for students on campus, especially first-year students. Orientations, Walmart trips for international students, and even magician shows are on the agenda for incoming first-year students and upper-class students alike.“
We’ll have the student involvement fair on the second week of school, and it’s a great way for students to learn more about campus,” Phelps says.
Student resources, internship opportunities, and organization sign-ups will be offered at the student involvement fair.
Additionally, a “Welcome Week” is in the works for students. This will feature a variety of different events, such as “First Day of School Photos and Puppies” on August 28 and “Speed Friending” on August 31.
For those interested in learning more about campus organizations, stop by the Student Activities Building located next to the Clocktower. In the lobby, there is a bulletin board that lists available clubs to join.
EngageLeo can also be helpful, as well as @saintleocab and @saintleostudentactivities on Instagram. These are the quickest ways to find out when and where events are happening on campus.
In short, connecting with your fellow Saint Leo students can be as easy as attending a bingo night or joining an informational session for a club. It is never too late to step outside of your comfort zone and you might just find a new passion or hobby along the way!
