Finding Your Place | How to College | Crash Course

Summary

This Crash Course episode, presented by Erica Brozovsky, guides students on finding their place in college through extracurricular activities, networking, and community building. It emphasizes the importance of involvement in clubs, student government, and multicultural organizations, as well as seeking academic and emotional support from advisors, faculty, and campus services.

Takeaways

• 📚 College experiences, both academic and social, are essential for personal growth and building a sense of community.
• 👥 Engaging in extracurricular activities like clubs and sports helps students make new friends and network with professionals.
• 🏠 Living-learning communities (LLCs) provide opportunities for students with common interests to live and study together.
• 🌍 Multicultural and identity-based student groups offer support and a sense of belonging for students with shared experiences.
• 🏫 Community groups outside of college can help students get acquainted with their new area and meet like-minded people.
• 👨‍🏫 Academic advisors, resident advisors, and student services staff are valuable resources for navigating college life and accessing support.
• 📝 Networking is crucial for building professional relationships and can be facilitated through faculty interactions and formal emails.
• 🎓 Instructors can provide guidance on how to excel academically and apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations.
• 💬 Proper email etiquette includes using formal greetings and being clear and concise in your communication.
• 🎥 Crash Course's Study Hall series offers additional resources and tips for navigating college, available on their dedicated YouTube channel.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'Crash Course: How to College' series?

The main focus of the 'Crash Course: How to College' series is to provide guidance on how to successfully navigate college life, including finding one's place within the college community and setting oneself up for long-term success through extracurricular experiences and networking.

Why are extracurricular activities important for college students?

Extracurricular activities are important for college students because they help in making new friends and colleagues, provide opportunities to meet professionals in the field of interest, and offer a chance to gain advice on skills and activities that can make students competitive in the job market after graduation.

What is a living-learning community (LLC) in the context of college?

A living-learning community (LLC) is a special interest group in a college residence hall that allows students with a common interest to meet and interact. These communities sometimes involve taking special classes or working on projects with the students you live with, which can help form deeper connections.

How can students get involved in student government in college?

Students can get involved in student government by either being elected or volunteering to oversee activities, programs, and initiatives aimed at increasing student involvement across the college.

What are intramural sports and how can students participate in them?

Intramural sports are recreational sports organized by a college for its students. To participate, students can check out their campus recreation center or their school's website, and sign up for sports like volleyball, basketball, or even LARPing.

What is the role of a resident advisor (RA) in a college?

A resident advisor (RA) is a student employed by the school to live in the residence halls on campus. RAs are trained to help resolve issues with roommates, get students involved on campus, access resources for mental or emotional issues, and socialize with peers.

Why is networking important for college students?

Networking is important for college students as it helps establish and build professional relationships with people in their career field, which can be beneficial for their working life and personal growth.

How can students find support services at their college?

Students can find support services at their college by accessing a centralized resource center, which is often funded by student tuition and includes services like tutoring, study groups, peer advising, and disability services.

What are some ways students can get involved off-campus to build a sense of community?

Students can get involved off-campus by joining community groups that benefit the area they live in, participating in faith-based, needs-based, social, or arts-related groups, or engaging with organizations like Kiwanis clubs that focus on community service.

How can faculty members assist college students in their academic journey?

Faculty members can assist college students by challenging them academically, presenting research opportunities, helping them apply classroom learning to real-world situations, and identifying the best ways to study and prepare for exams.

What is the significance of using proper titles and preferred names in academic communication?

Using proper titles and preferred names in academic communication is significant as it shows respect and acknowledges the individual's identity and preferences. It also helps in establishing a professional and respectful relationship with instructors and peers.

Outlines

00:00

🍕 Finding Your Place in College Through Extracurricular Activities

The first paragraph introduces the concept of finding one's place in college through activities beyond academics, such as eating pizza and cooking with friends. It emphasizes the importance of building a sense of community and belonging within a peer group. The speaker, Erica Brozovsky, presents the idea that extracurricular activities and networking can lead to long-term success. She mentions various opportunities available in college, including clubs, student government, intramural sports, living-learning communities, and multicultural organizations. The paragraph also suggests that involvement in these activities can provide advice and skills to make oneself competitive in the job market after graduation.

05:02

🤝 Leveraging Campus and Community Resources for Networking

The second paragraph delves into the importance of networking and the various resources available to college students for academic and social support. It discusses the role of academic advisors, resident advisors, and student services in helping students navigate college life. The paragraph also highlights the importance of utilizing these services, as they are funded by student tuition. Furthermore, it touches on the value of faculty members in challenging students academically and presenting research opportunities. The paragraph concludes by discussing the concept of networking, the process of establishing professional relationships, and the importance of clear and respectful communication, especially in professional emails.

Keywords

💡Community

Community refers to a group of people who share common interests, values, or goals, and often interact with one another. In the context of the video, community is integral to finding one's place in college, as it fosters a sense of belonging among peers and is built through participation in various activities and clubs. For example, the script mentions 'building a sense of community' and joining 'identity-based student groups' to connect with others who share similar experiences.

💡Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are pursuits undertaken outside of one's academic curriculum, often for personal development or enjoyment. The video emphasizes their importance in college life, suggesting that involvement in such activities, like joining clubs or participating in sports, can help students make new friends, gain professional connections, and enhance their college experience. The script gives examples of 'joining a club' and 'intramural sports' as ways to get involved.

💡Sense of Belonging

A sense of belonging is the feeling of being an accepted and valued member of a group. The video discusses how finding one's place in college is tied to developing this sense of belonging within a peer group, which can be achieved through shared activities and interests. The script illustrates this with the phrase 'the feeling of belonging within a peer group' and how participating in college activities can help students find their place.

💡Networking

Networking is the process of building and maintaining professional relationships. The video highlights the importance of networking in college for long-term success, suggesting that connections made during this time can be valuable for future career opportunities. The script uses the term 'networking' to describe the act of establishing professional relationships with people in one's career field, such as through joining clubs or working with faculty.

💡Student Organizations

Student organizations are groups formed by students around shared interests or goals. The video mentions these as a way to find one's place in college, as they provide opportunities for students to connect with others who have similar interests. Examples from the script include '

Highlights

Eating pizza and cooking with friends is as important as academic learning for building a sense of community in college.

Extracurricular activities and networking are crucial for long-term success in college.

Joining a club helps make new friends and can connect you with professionals in your field.

Student government offers opportunities to oversee activities and get more involved in college.

Intramural sports provide a chance for physical activity and community involvement.

Living-learning communities (LLCs) foster deeper connections with students who share common interests.

Multicultural organizations and identity-based student groups support students with shared experiences.

Community groups off-campus can help students get acquainted with their new area and discover interests.

Academic advisors assist with scheduling, internships, and meeting degree requirements.

Resident advisors (RAs) provide support for campus involvement and resolving roommate issues.

Student services offer tutoring, study groups, and peer advising for academic success.

Disability services ensure equal access to educational resources for disabled students.

Faculty members present research opportunities and help apply classroom learning to real-world situations.

Networking is essential for establishing professional relationships in your career field.

Email etiquette is important when reaching out to instructors for networking purposes.

Finding your place in college involves comfort, support, and feeling safe and affirmed.

Crash Course How to College is part of Study Hall, offering more tips on college navigation.

Transcripts

In college, I learned SO MUCH that I still use today.

But you know what I also spent a lot of time doing that was just as important?

Eating pizza and cooking with my friends.

This, plus other outside-of-college activities I did,

helped me find my place in college and build a sense of community,

or the feeling of belonging within a peer group.

While there’s no one way to do this, we’re going to tell you how

to find your place in college and set yourself up for long-term success

through extra experiences and networking.

Hi, I’m Erica Brozovsky, and this is Crash Course: How to College

a Study Hall series presented in partnership with Arizona State University.

Today we’re talking about how to find your place in college.

[INTRO MUSIC PLAYS]

Making the transition to college -

or BACK to college, if you’re returning to school after a period of time -

isn’t easy, but getting involved in extracurricular activities, like joining a club,

can help you make new friends and colleagues.

Some of these people will be students,

and will be going through similar things to you!

Others will be professionals in the field you want to work in,

and meeting them while you're a student will give you a chance

to get advice about what skills and activities you should pursue

to make yourself as competitive as possible in the job market after you graduate.

And whether your campus exists in the virtual or physical world,

most colleges have a little bit of something for everyone.

We’ll hit some of the highlights here, but there are SO MANY opportunities

depending on your college and what you’re into.

For instance, I worked at the mall,

was a part of the Taiwanese-American Students Association,

and cooked with my friends in our terrible dorm kitchen.

Like if you’re interested in political science, you may have the option

to get involved with student government,

which is made up of students who are elected or volunteer

to oversee activities, programs, and initiatives

to get students more involved across the college.

Or if you’re looking to be more physically active,

you can also get involved with intramural sports

like volleyball, basketball, or even LARPing!

Intramurals are recreational sports organized at your college.

In order to sign up, check out your campus rec center or your school’s website.

You can even sign up for some groups before getting to campus,

like living-learning communities, or LLCs–

special interest groups that allow you to meet with other students

in that residence hall that have a common interest.

Sometimes these groups involve taking special classes

or working on projects with the students you live with,

and this can be a way to form deeper connections with your classmates.

Your school might offer LLCs for students interested in

social justice, business, or politics.

If your college offers this experience, you typically have to apply

or indicate you want to participate in a living and learning community

when you’re figuring out your housing.

And most colleges these days offer opportunities

for multicultural organizations and activities on campus.

These are often known as identity-based student groups,

and they exist to form a place for students with similar shared experiences to meet,

hang out, and support one another.

This might be a club for native Francophones to hang out and speak French,

or a group where first-generation college students hang out and talk about

their experiences with people who understand their background.

There are also clubs for students to join based on shared racial and cultural experiences.

Most schools have student associations for people of

Black, Latinx, and Asian American and Pacific Islander backgrounds.

You can also find groups for international students, refugees,

veterans, students within the LGBTQIA+ community,

disabled students, and more.

But organizations and groups that are run through your college aren’t the only option

when you’re looking to find your place and get involved.

Gasp!

You can actually venture off-campus or out into the world!

If you find yourself wanting to spread your wings

and find a group outside of your college existence,

consider a community group, which exists to benefit the area you live in.

These can be especially useful if you have moved away from home

to attend a college in a new town.

Joining a community group can help you get acquainted with your new area,

discover new interests, and network with like-minded people.

Other groups you can find outside of the college may be faith-based,

needs-based, social, or rooted in the arts, like dance, poetry, and film.

Or Kiwanis clubs, which focus on community service and offer opportunities

to engage in the local community while giving back to others.

So there are A LOT of options to help you build that sense of community

and find your place in college.

As you participate in each group or club, try to reflect on what you are learning

and how each experience aligns with your interests and values.

Finding yourself takes time, but it helps to take stock of each new endeavor

and explore how it makes you feel and whether it fits into your future.

Finding yourself might also be a team effort.

Luckily, there are staff members at each college who can help you find groups

and clubs to join and support you in navigating other aspects of college life.

Like, an academic advisor (who we talked about in more detail last episode)

is responsible for helping students meet the requirements to earn their degrees.

They’re trained to help you schedule classes each semester,

talk to professors, find internships, and more.

There are also resident advisors, or RAs, which are students employed

by the school to live in the residence halls on campus.

They can sometimes answer your academic questions,

but RAs are specifically trained to help you resolve issues with your roommate,

get involved on campus, access resources to work through mental or emotional issues,

and socialize with your peers.

In fact, RAs usually are your peers!

They’re often students farther along in their studies who have experienced

similar issues and can provide support.

Many college campuses make academic support services available to all students.

Student services staff can help you access tutors, study groups,

peer advisors, and other resources you need to succeed.

Sometimes these are also called student support or student success advisors.

Your school will also offer disability services, which are designed to protect

disabled students from discrimination and make sure

they have equal access to educational resources.

Common accommodations provided by many schools include designated note takers,

assistive listening devices, and extended time for assignments and exams.

While services will vary by school, every school should have some type of

centralized resource center that any student can access.

These services are often funded by student tuition,

so don’t hesitate to make use of all available student services!

You’re literally paying for them, you might as well use them!

You can also rely on faculty members to challenge you academically,

present research opportunities, and assist you

with applying what you’re learning in class to real-world situations.

And your instructors can even help you identify the best way to study and prepare for exams,

which sets you up for success throughout your college experience.

In fact, getting to know the faculty (and other on-campus contacts)

is a great way to build our network for our college years and beyond.

Networking is one of those buzzwords that everyone seems to have feelings about,

but really it’s just about establishing and then building the professional relationships

we intend to have with people in our career field.

Now I love talking to and getting to know people --

like if you want to have a 45 minute conversation about hopes, dreams,

and our favorite TikTok trends, I’m there.

But for lots of people networking can be kinda intimidating.

But it's important, because it's setting the groundwork for the professional

and often personal relationships you'll have for your working life–if not just your entire

life.

Thankfully, there are some ways to make it simpler.

That brings us to another part about networking that can be scary:

emails.

Let's go to the Thought Bubble.

Figuring out what to call people you’re trying to network with like instructors and

professors

can be harder than it seems!

You’ll likely be taught by many different people with different qualifications.

Take our friend Dan.

One of Dan’s professors has a PhDs and prefers to be addressed as “Doctor.”

Others might prefer “Ms.,” “Mr.,” “Mx.” or simply “Professor.”

When in doubt, go for something more formal or respectful,

but regardless, your instructor will usually cover how they want to be addressed

on the first day of class or in an introduction email, so be sure to pay close attention

and use the correct title.

And if they don’t, you can always ask!

Likewise, if you have a preferred name you’d like your instructor to use,

share it when you introduce yourself in class or via email.

Dan’s given name is different than what he likes to be called,

so at the start of the course he asks his instructor to take note of his preferred name

and address him accordingly throughout the semester.

Many schools have options for students to indicate their preferred names

on official lists, like course rosters.

If you reach out to the instructor or anyone you want to connect with via email,

remember to be professional -- and coherent.

Compose a formal, succinct email, then proofread it to correct any typos or grammatical errors.

This means you should start with a subject line that says what the email will be about.

You should also start with a formal greeting like

“Dear [blank]” or “Hello” and briefly explain why you’re reaching out to them.

And if you’re emailing your professor, it’s a good idea to include the name or section

of your course.

Instructors aren’t the only people who can be a part of your network,

but they are excellent resources.

Consider asking them for tips in staying ahead in your reading and assignments,

because your instructors have firsthand knowledge about how students can excel in their class.

Thanks, Thought Bubble.

Finding your place isn’t just about finding your passions and choosing your path.

It’s also about being comfortable where you are,

knowing where and when to ask for support, and feeling safe and affirmed.

The better you feel about making new friends and getting involved on campus,

the better you’ll feel about finding your place in college, your community, and the

world.

Thanks for watching this episode of Crash Course How to College.

This series is part of an expanded program called Study Hall.

Crash Course has partnered with Arizona State University to launch Study Hall on its own

channel.

Check out youtube.com/studyhall where you’ll find more tips about navigating college,

choosing a major, plus foundational courses connected to college credit courses

that students struggle most with in their first 2 years.

We hope to see you over there!