During high school, our parents, teachers, and counselors encourage just to get as involved as possible. Try out for a sports team, audition for the plays, or join a club. Doing these things are meant to build our college applications and help us make friends who have similar interests. So why then do students become less involved during college? There are many benefits of getting involved b beyond high school, and here are five reasons why.

1. Builds time management skills.

Students often have heavy workloads during college. Hours spent in the library studying for the next big exam is not uncommon. Often times, students struggle to get focused and be productive with distractions like Netflix or parties. Being in a club, organization, or sport allows students to focus in on the important tasks they need to accomplish and can lead to better grades.

2. Expands your resume.

One of the main reasons we attend college is so that we can get good jobs after graduation. By getting involved, you build your resume and probably increase your chance of being hired.

3. Helps make new friends.

The biggest fear many incoming freshmen have is making friends. I was fortunate enough to have friends through the basketball team, but I still joined the school paper in order to make friends within a field I am interested in. Especially in college, there are clubs for everything, so chances are pretty high you will find plenty of like-minded individuals.

4. Develop leadership skills and the ability to work in a group setting.

Many employers look for candidates to have leadership abilities and can work with others in a group well. Getting involved with sports or a club allows us to develop into great job candidates.

5. Bond over common goals or interests.

It is one thing to join a club or sport, but the best part is finding a group of people who enjoy a lot of the things that you do. A favorite tv show, a Dunkin' obsession, or just that club or sport can provide a sense of connection and inclusiveness.

So if you are not already involved within your school's community, now is as good a time as ever to find something you enjoy and take advantage of all your school has to offer. After all, college is all about making memories, so get started as soon as possible!