With well over 1,000 student organizations, Texas A&M University has an almost unbelievable number of ways that students can get involved. There is certainly a group on campus that will align with your students’ interests! Whatever this group may be, it will challenge them to grow, support them in their Aggie journey, and teach them new lessons and skills along the way. I will be the first to admit, however, that navigating the abundant opportunities available can feel daunting, especially as an incoming freshman with so much to consider.
I remember being so excited to start my freshman year, yet I was also nervous that I might not find an organization that was the right fit for me. I also worried about finding a group of friends outside the classroom environment. If any of the reservations I felt before the start of my freshman year are feelings your student might be experiencing, I would like to invite them to MSC Open House! Even if your student is not feeling anxious at all, MSC Open House is a great opportunity to mingle and to be welcomed to A&M by various groups!
MSC Open House occurs on Sunday, September 2nd from 1-5pm and is held throughout the Memorial Student Center. This program provides students with the opportunity to speak with those involved in hundreds of organizations from all across campus. Various individuals will be working booths throughout the building and in outdoor areas nearby. These individuals attend MSC Open House for the specific purpose of talking directly with your students, sharing their reasons for being passionate about their organization, and assisting with next steps if their organization seems like something your students would like to pursue.
Attending MSC Open House my freshman year was the first step in finding my place at A&M. I walked the halls of the MSC and spoke with people at more booths than I can remember. Ultimately, I met some people who described interests that really resonated with me. They gave me a great sense of what involvement would entail and made me excited about the idea of joining their organization. I am so thankful that I did! Today, I wholeheartedly believe that co-curricular involvement adds so much to the college experience. There are things I have learned first-hand through organizational involvement that I never could have fully comprehended purely learning about them in a classroom setting. I also have met some of my best friends along the way that I truly hope will stay with me for the rest of my life. While the areas in which I chose to dedicate my time certainly may not be the right fit for your students, I promise that there is something!
MSC Open House helps students of all ages, interests, and backgrounds find their place at such a large university. It certainly helped me to find mine! No matter what your students are interested in, MSC Open House is the perfect place for them to explore the ways in which they can get involved during their time at Texas A&M!
Taylor Welch ’19
MSC President