One of the greatest opportunities to make your mark at The Ohio State University is to get involved with activities outside of the classroom. The benefits of getting involved are significant: better grades, meeting new people and friends, better time management, and feeling more connected to Ohio State.

The best place to help you get involved is the Student Organization Resource Center (SOURCE) at the Ohio Union at Ohio Stadium. The SOURCE has an online directory of almost 900 student organizations at OSU and resources and funding to make your organization successful. Other good ways to find out about student organizations are to attend the Involvement Fair during Welcome Week, go to a meeting with a friend, and pay attention to flyers, emails, and listserv announcements. If you cannot find an organization that meets your interests, we will help you start one!

Student organizations offer important developmental opportunities for all members to prepare themselves for life after Ohio State. Students learn leadership skills, how to work with other members of a group, how to prioritize and manage time, how to run meetings, and plan events. This skill set will help set you apart from others when applying for your first job or graduate/professional school. Every student’s experience is unique, so there is no one “right way” to get involved or best organization to join. Finding the balance between studying, attending class, work, personal life, and getting involved can be challenging. A professor, your boss, your RA, or a friend, can all be mentors and good resources to ask for advice. However, every Ohio State student should have the time to get involved in at least one activity outside of class!

For more information on getting involved and student organizations, visit http://www.ohiounion.osu.edu or contact the SOURCE at source@osu.edu or call (614)292-8763, or visit the Ohio Union at Ohio Stadium (between Gates 22 & 24 of the Stadium).