Top 5 Ways to Get Involved at UA Before Arriving on Campus

Are you looking for ways to get connected with students who have similar interests as you? Were you really involved in high school and are looking for ways to continue your involvement at the college level? Are you excited about all of the opportunities for involvement that the University of Alabama has to offer? Are you interested in a particular topic, like community service, political groups, or professional organizations in your major?

The University of Alabama offers so many different ways to get involved and connect to campus and with others. Moving from high school to college can be a daunting transition, and managing co-curricular activities is just one part of the puzzle that you will master in the coming years. To make your transition easier and prepare yourself for whatever level of involvement you are seeking as soon as you arrive on campus, follow our five easy tips!

  • 1. Check out the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership "Prospective Students" section. This section contains all kinds of information for incoming students that will be helpful as you prepare for the upcoming semester. The FAQ page has a lot of information and will be helpful for answering many questions that you may have!
  • 2. Browse the Student Organization Directory. The directory lists all of the registered student organizations on campus, and you can search it by name or by topic. With over three hundred registered organizations, there are a lot of organizations about which you want to find out more information. You can start keeping tabs on those organizations now!
  • 3. Fill out an Interest Inventory. This inventory will ask you about your specific interests, and then a staff member in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership will give you specific organizations that you may want to look into. Filling out an interest inventory will give you personalized results, as well as put you in touch with an SIL staff member who can be a great resource when you arrive to campus.
  • 4. Ask questions. When you go to orientation, ask your Avantis and any other students that you meet about what kind of activities they are involved in. If you meet with faculty members from your college or major, ask about what kinds of organizations exist that are exclusively for your major. As you browse through the many materials you receive over the summer and at your BamaBound session, note the contact people listed and contact them if you have questions about their program or organization.
  • 5. Look into programs specifically for freshmen. You can even apply for Freshman Forum, a unique leadership development program that is sponsored by the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, right now through our website! Freshman programs are a great way to connect with other freshmen and get a feel for the campus, as well as gain leadership experience during your first year on campus!