Every college student needs to find his or her niche on campus.  While most of the first semester is spent just getting the hang of academics and bonding with roommates and hallmates, the second semester of a student’s college career can be a good time to break out of the comfort zone and consider getting involved in more activities.

There are over 180 student organizations at Wake Forest.  Students can tap into existing groups or can explore creating a new organization.  There is a directory of student organizations online that your student can browse.

Many of Wake Forest students participated in volunteer work in high school.  For students who are civic- or volunteer-minded, they may want to tap in to our very robust Volunteer Services Corps.  The VSC web site allows students to look at volunteer opportunities by service area.  In addition to local volunteering, there are some alternative spring break trips and international service programs that are incredibly powerful experiences for those who participate.  Campus Kitchen is a meal prep and delivery program that brings food to the needy, and is a great outlet for students.

For our sporty Deacs, there is a whole host of Campus Recreation options.  From club sports to intramurals to outdoor pursuits like hiking, students can continue playing a favorite sport or learn a new one.

Student Union offers a wide range of campus programming.  They have Tuesday Trivia in Shorty’s, “Short Courses” which typically last a couple of hours on topics ranging from Italian cooking to pumpkin carving, movies on the weekends, and more.   They are always looking for volunteers on committees, so if there was one that interests your student, encourage him or her to email the chair and get involved.

For students who want to practice their faith – or explore new ones – there are a wide variety of denominational groups on campus through Campus Ministry. There are opportunities for worship, service, and spiritual mentoring.  Groups always welcome new members and visitors!

The arts are alive and well on Wake Forest’s campus.  Students can get involved by trying out for a campus play, auditioning for a musical performing group, or simply by attending some of the concerts, plays and shows on campus.  Your student may not realize that one of his classmates also likes opera, or theatre until he attends a play and sees people he knows in the audience – which can lead to a new conversation starter and the beginning of a friendship.

Greek Life is an option for many students.  Fraternity and Sorority recruitment just ended.  If your son or daughter chose not to go through recruitment, or dropped out or did not get a bid, it may feel to him or her like everyone at Wake Forest is Greek.  If your student is looking for involvement, remind him or her that there are multiple ways to be involved here – and if Greek life isn’t for him or her, that is OK.  In the meantime, encourage your student to get involved in one of the other activities on campus.

The Campus Life web site is teeming with options – from leadership to service and more.  Remind your student to explore all the options available.  And if all else fails and you are concerned that your student isn’t getting involved, you can contact the Parent Programs office at parents@wfu.edu for some individual guidance on how best to direct your student to areas of activity that might be fulfilling.