The beginning-of-the-year buzz has nearly worn off, and you're starting to regret putting your computing ID on so many interest lists for clubs you're not actually interested in. There are literally hundreds of extracurriculars at the University of Virginia, which means you're in luck. The sheer volume of options at a larger school can be overwhelming, but it also means that there is truly something for everyone. Whether you're a first year looking to get more involved or a fourth year wanting to make the best of your last days at our wonderful university, you should consider checking out the following organizations.
1. Relay for Life
The Relay For Life chapter at UVA is simply amazing. Smaller events like the a cappella concert and Vermonster challenge lead up to a 24-hour relay that includes tons of free food, good music, fun photo ops, and so many different events. Join a team or create your own to raise money in the fight against cancer. Check out the Relay for Life at UVA blog here.
2. Pancakes for Parkinson's
Pancakes for Parkinson's , the largest student philanthropy on grounds, is an annual pancake breakfast hosted in the fall to raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research. This year it's on Oct. 17! According to their website, they hope to provide an event where UVA students and the Charlottesville community can come together to eat pancakes in the spirit of service. What better way to serve the community than eat pancakes?
3. Abundant Life Ministries
If you want to change a child's life, you should sign up for Abundant Life Ministries, a faith-based partnership between the residents of the Prospect Avenue neighborhood and members of local churches and area nonprofits. There are so many kids in Charlottesville who need a mentor, and you could be this role model for one of them. Don't feel confident enough to work with kids? The students simply appreciate the consistency of having someone come and work with them every week, and your work will do more than you can imagine.
4. Honor
Curious about the word that is probably thrown around at UVA the same amount as Thomas Jefferson? Want to learn more about what honor actually is, serve your community, and uphold a system that's been at UVA since its creation? Consider joining Honor. There are various levels of involvement to meet each person's needs. For example, you can be a support officer or Honor committee member, and any student can go to committee meetings. Athletes can be Honor liaisons in a special athlete program. They are also starting a new program this year where you can apply to be a dorm representative! Find more information here.
5. Hoo Crew
Ever wondered how the same people always get court-side student section seats at basketball games? They're part of Hoo Crew, Virginia's official student fan group. Being a member entails going through an application process and agreeing to attend various UVA sporting events throughout the year, not just basketball and football games. If you're bleeding school spirit and love the Hoos, you'd be stupid to not apply to be on Hoo Crew. In 2014, Hoo Crew won the Naismith Student Section of the Year award. You can find more information on their website.
6. Students Helping Honduras
Fourth year Nicole Burkhardt started Students Helping Honduras at UVA because she wanted to continue her work with the organization in high school in college. SHH is a non-profit organization that raises money to go on trips to build schools in rural Honduras. Third year Jessi Renehan explains, "I love SHH because of how it allows me to grow while having the time of my life watching sustainable and lasting change take place in a country that I deeply care about!" If you're interested in Spanish, traveling, volunteering, and helping kids you should definitely check out Students Helping Honduras.
7. Madison House
Madison House has something for everyone. I personally think going through all of your four years at UVA without doing at least one program through Madison House would be a big mistake. You can volunteer to pet dogs at the SPCA, coach a local youth soccer team, tutor a child in a Charlottesville school, or even adopt a grandparent. If you want to do volunteering of any kind, you should definitely check out Madison House's wide variety of opportunities!
8. Hack Cville
HackCville is a clubhouse on the Corner for creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, and anyone with a project of some sort. Their impressive alumni network of over 750 members connects to students with ideas to help make their projects realities. Members host workshops every week in their house on a plethora of topics such as being an entrepreneur overseas and how to create a power pitch for your idea. Second year Rory Finnegan says, "I'm in HackCville to be surrounded by the type of people who have a passion they're actively pursuing. I love that I can be in a club with comm school kids and engineers who take my poetry major seriously and are genuinely interested in what I do!" Learn more about HackCville here.
The endless opportunities to get involved in groups and organizations is part of what makes UVA so awesome. I hope this article gives you a starting point for making a big school smaller through doing what you love!