CL&E's Top 10 Reasons To Get Involved At McGill University

    Being a student at McGill is about more than just class and studies. Have you ever considered getting involved on campus? And, just to be clear, by ‘getting involved’, we don’t mean orchestrating an elaborate prank on the floor above you, or organizing a group of friends to go sunbathe on lower field! No, we are talking about joining a club or organization, or getting involved with any number of the programs and communities available to you at and through McGill. Here are 10 reasons why you should get more involved at McGill University.

    CampusLifeAndEngagement
    by CampusLifeAndEngagement

    Community Contributor

    1. Meet New People

    Build up your network! The more people you know, the more opportunities you will encounter. Get connected with student, staff, and faculty who share your interests. Plus, you never know where your new best friend is hiding.

    2. Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone

    Try something new! There are so many clubs and services at McGill that you don’t even know about yet. Get out of the McGill bubble, explore Montreal, and discover interests you never knew you had.

    3. Spice Up Your Resume

    Ever managed an event or made a classroom announcement in Leacock 132? Add leadership, public speaking, time management, event planning, marketing, etc… to your CV. Being involved with clubs and groups on campus shows potential employers that you are personable and well-rounded.

    4. Learn More About Yourself

    College is all about self-discovery and personal development! Discover career interests, passions, and talents you never knew you had.

    5. Broaden Your Cultural Horizons

    McGill is the most international university in Canada, with 25% of its students hailing from outside Canada. We would recommend attending a few meet & greets hosted by SSMU Cultural Clubs, and learn more about our globalized society.

    6. Improve Your Grades

    Involved students are more successful academically! Build your co-curricular transcript AND your academic transcript! You can add multitasking to your list of new skills!

    7. Make A Difference

    Take a cue from Gaga and give back to your community! McGill has a variety of volunteering and community programs available for your participation. Build your character, and also have a powerful impact on a cause you are passionate about.

    A great opportunity to learn about making a difference in the local community is through SEDE's Community Engagement Day!

    8. Make Use Of Your School's Resources

    I mean, you do pay for it, whether you use it or not. So might as well get your money's worth, right?! McGill Student Services are here to support you and make sure you get the most out of your McGill experience and be your best while here in Montreal.

    9. Relieve Stress

    With a never-ending dose of readings, exam prep, essays, lab reports and webworks, having an activity to take your mind off school work is a great way to relieve stress. Extracurricular (also known as co-curricular) activities are things that people enjoy doing because it is not an obligation, but a fun escape from all their work. Make sure to attend SSMU's Activities Night, held at the beginning of each term, in order to meet with club/service leaders and get a sense of what you are interested in!

    10. Have fun!

    Make the most out of your McGill experience. Create great memories that will make you cherish the 3+ years spent at this amazing university. Enrich your college experience by getting involved!

    Bonus: Free Stuff!

    It’s a proven fact that university students flock towards anything FREE! Many clubs use this as an incentive to get you involved, so why not take advantage of it. Pizza, t-shirts, coffee, cookies, stationary… the list goes on! So keep you money in your pockets, and just go to a club info-session instead!

    Bottom Line: Find Something That Makes You Happy

    Here is the McGill interpretation of Pharrell William's "Happy" that was a student-led initiative filmed right on campus!

    The Engage McGill website also has a list of different resources that can help you get involved in McGill life, like workshops and mini-conferences. You should also make sure to create and explore your myInvolvement account, which helps you create your individual Co-Curricular Record (CCR).