So you want to get involved at Tufts
Take one look on JumboLife, our website where all the clubs are listed, and you’ll see a list of 400 organizations, each one enticing you to join in. Feeling overwhelmed?
There are also student groups, advisory boards, research labs, and temporary gigs in each department … and that’s not counting the student jobs there are, from TA to front desk worker!
Despite being here for over a year now, I still am blown away by the vast resources and opportunities there are on campus. Much advice I’ve received from upperclassmen is don’t be afraid to dive in and try out something new. In high school, I hadn’t pushed myself to try as many things as I could have and explore new pathways, so during freshman year, I decided to take that advice to heart and join as many student organizations as possible, taking every opportunity to live out these “best 4 years”.
Unfortunately, we all have a finite amount of energy and dedication we can give. Joining so many clubs led me to become really stressed during the beginning of sophomore year, juggling my personal health, academic work, and extracurriculars. I now sit on the executive boards of or am highly involved in 20 (!) clubs, but that has led me to become less reliable and slack off in my responsibilities because I’m involved in so much.
After realizing where I went wrong, I’m dropping a lot of commitments in the spring semester. Of course I’ll try something new, and explore a couple of new interests, but not go on an overcommitment spree like I did freshman spring. I think I’ll actually enjoy it for once.
It is good to be involved on campus. Push yourself to try something new. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. But remember your priorities first and foremost before sticking with something and don’t be afraid to cut a club out if you can’t be a part of it anymore. Your physical and mental health and academics always come first.