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As a freshman at the University of Rhode Island (URI, Kingston, RI), Maggie Smyth only knew a handful of people -- people from high school. After a year of feeling lost in a school with 14,198 students, she decided to rush a sorority. They accepted her bid, but the sophomore didn't feel like URI was the place for her, so she turned it down. She wanted to transfer to a school back home in New Jersey, but she ended up never leaving, and deeply regretted not being a part of the sorority, or any organization for that matter.

Two years later, Maggie's a senior. Even though she'll soon graduate, she still feels that URI is not the place for her. "Plenty of people are happy here," she says. "I'm just not one of them. I guess I never found my niche."

Similarly, Lisa DeKruyff had a difficult time finding her place at Iowa State University (Ames, IA). She says she didn't feel the need to join an organization when she first arrived, but decided to become a part of the Broadcast Club her senior year. "I picked a major late, so I didn't know what I'd really be interested in," explains Lisa. "I wish I would have joined something sooner, because now I'm more connected to the university than I was just going to class."

Lisa and Maggie's stories are not uncommon; many students may feel displaced when they first arrive at a new school. But how you handle the situation will indicate how well you'll find your place in college.

So what can you do to maximize your college experience?

Receive Lasting Benefits
According to Ginger Eady, coordinator of campus activities at the University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), students who get involved become more invested in their universities. "They not only build relationships with peers, but with other staff and faculty members who can be of help in the future," she says. "[Students] transfer skills they've developed in an organization -- ones they would not have otherwise developed -- into the job market and other areas of life."

Extracurricular activities, specifically student organizations, play a key role in reducing dropouts and promoting student relations. M.K. Nadler, a scholar in the communication field, performed a study in 1997 that showed participation in student organizations often leads to greater involvement in the college experience.

Char Rae, director of first-year programs at Ohio University (Athens, OH), agrees. "Students who get involved are confident, better organized, and typically more successful in getting what they want out of college."

Plus, Rae believes these benefits last beyond the college years. "I've seen students become more confident in their abilities, speaking in public, and as community leaders. That has a far-reaching impact as they go into the workforce and become leaders, parents, and citizens of the world," she says.

Give It the Old College Try
When Sasha DeFazio felt lost during her sophomore year at Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ), she didn't know how to expand her social circle. Then she saw a flyer to join the school's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). She was interested in the field, but debated attending. Ultimately, though, she decided it would be the perfect way to meet new people. "If I had to leave Rutgers now, I'd miss the people I hang out with most, and they're the members of PRSSA," says Sasha. "I can't believe I considered leaving once. Now I'm the treasurer!"

Sasha believes it's up to you to find an organization that interests you. "In a worst case scenario, it doesn't work out. But at least you tried," she says. "My advice -- don't have any regrets."

Just Do It
Don't get caught up in organization stereotypes, advises Lisa. "I don't really know why, but I always thought clubs would be boring and wouldn't help me out," she says. "I had a negative [view] of them. Now I know differently."

Rae believes freshmen choose not to get involved for several reasons. "They may not know of the opportunities, or aren't sure of themselves to handle the requirements of school and extracurricular activities," she says. "There is a timidity to reach out and commit before they are sure of their own ability to succeed academically."

Lawanda King, an advising dean at the Office of Student Involvement at Rutgers, strongly suggests researching various organizations your school has to offer. Many schools, like Rutgers, have an organization fair in the beginning of the fall semester. "First find out what interests you, do some research, and talk to upperclassmen," suggests King. "That will help a larger university seem smaller."

"I understand it may be difficult in a larger university to find a group that's 'you,'" says Sasha. "But I did it. I went out and found a place for myself in a school with 49,999 other students. You can do it, too."

Find an Activity That's Right for You
Get involved immediately. As soon as you set foot on campus, explore extracurricular options and keep an open mind to the opportunities.

Do research. Search online and on campus for different organizations and meeting times. Also, seek out the people who run orientations and activity fairs to find out what's available.

Talk with friends. Find out if anyone you know, especially upperclassmen, is involved in your organizations of interest. Getting the inside scoop is important, but remember to give it a fair chance; others' opinions may differ from yours.

Take on a little project. Once you've found an organization that interests you, start with something small, like a joint project. This way you can find out if it's worth investing your time, without committing to more than you bargained for.

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