When I first stepped onto the UC Davis campus, I felt excited and honestly a little overwhelmed. The Quad buzzed with energy, bikes zipped by and the sheer number of opportunities ahead thrilled me. It was a lot to take in.

I knew I wanted to make the most of my time, but I wasn’t sure where to start. I found my answer at a club fair on the Quad. I joined a club and everything changed after that. It transformed my college experience and it will transform yours, too.

1. Find your people

A campus with over 30,000 students sometimes feels like you just stepped into a small city. A well-known college secret is that clubs turn that city into a cozy neighborhood. They connect you with people who share your passions and create a strong sense of belonging that makes college feel less scary.

When I joined CodeLab, the largest software and design agency on campus, I found new friends — but more than that, I found family. We spent so much time together. We coded, organized events and built impactful projects over that first year. Find your people and create lasting connections, whether you’re interested in sustainable farm practices, want to develop an innovative app or love to breakdance.

2. Build a powerful network

The people you meet — fellow students and industry professionals — become lifelong friends or key connections for your future career. Think of it as LinkedIn with high-fives instead of awkward messages from people you met once at a career fair.

I met incredible individuals from diverse fields who later became mentors, collaborators and friends, through the Google Developer Student Club. This kind of exposure also opens doors to bigger internship opportunities later down the line. These connections are invaluable and helped shape my professional journey.

3. Boost your skills 

Research shows that students deeply engaged in extracurriculars thrive academically. Clubs sharpen time management, leadership and collaboration skills — all while you pursue your passions.

Clubs benefit your personal growth. Every meeting, event and project adds to your skillset. I became a board member in a few clubs and learned how to manage teams, balance priorities and solve real-world challenges.

4. Find your balance

College is stressful, but clubs offer a way to recharge.

There’s something for everyone, with hundreds of student organizations to explore. Clubs provide the perfect platform to develop skills and create an impact.

So, join a club. Worst case, you collect some funny stories to share ­— and maybe a few too many free T-shirts.