TAKING THE LEAP: GETTING INVOLVED AT ECU

WRITTEN BY DYLAN GILLIS

Campus culture is the one thing that everyone has on their minds when they first start considering studying at university. This may come in the form of questions such as, “what sports are there on campus?”, “is it like the movies?”, “will I make friends?”, and, most importantly, “where will I get my coffee fix from?”.

University opens the door for endless opportunities but can also be intimidating for first time and returning students. That being said, there is something for everybody to get involved in across any of our three campuses at ECU.

It’s no secret, studying at a university level can be strenuous yet rewarding, but so too is learning to have a healthy work-life balance. Campus culture is one element of university life that contributes majorly towards the enjoyment of the tertiary experience, providing students with an outlet for all the stresses that can come with being a young adult.

Getting involved with campus culture could mean joining a social club or becoming a part of an academic group, there are various ways and its entirely down to who you are as a person, your hobbies, and your interests.

This is a massive part of our culture at ECU because it gives people a sense of belonging and community among all the chaos and madness. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people on campus can be incredibly beneficial as it creates a social network and support system which can foster into something much bigger and brighter in the future.

It’s true, putting yourself out there can be a hard task. Its daunting, and to an extent, tiring. Opening yourself up to these situations, however, can be one of the best decisions that you ever make. It could be decision that brings you to a new best friend or even delivers you a group of people that you can truly express your individuality with.

From my personal experience, of being a social butterfly on campus, great friendships and memories are created by getting involved. The best part is, getting involved doesn’t mean running a mile or learning a new subject, it could be as simple as meeting up with other students over a coffee or pizza at Slice of Italy, or getting a drink at Birra Bar after putting in the hard yards at the library.

As a seasoned student, my advice to you is: put your best foot forward and always be yourself. Never let anyone dampen your individuality and always let your personality shine, as others will shine alongside you. Expose yourself to every opportunity to meet new people, step outside your comfort zone, and most of all, make sure to have fun.

ENVIRONMENTAL