Beyond the Books: Finding a Balance in Graduate School
News
SUMMARY: Adjusting to graduate school can be a challenge, especially when balancing academic responsibility with your personal life. Finding hobbies and activities you enjoy outside of the classroom can make all the difference in your graduate experience. In this post, Olivia explores extracurricular clubs and activities available to JMU graduate students and how getting involved can help you build connections with the University and other students and encourages you to make the most of your time at JMU.
Why Balance Matters
One of the first things students learn during their undergraduate experience is the value of getting involved on campus. Participating in clubs and organizations provides students with the opportunity to meet new people and offers support for their overall health.
The same values apply to graduate school. Graduate school can be challenging and brings new academic and professional responsibilities. While you may feel that your schedule as a graduate student doesn’t allow for extracurricular activities, these activities can serve as a great opportunity for you to meet new, diverse groups of people with shared interests.
As a graduate student, being involved in campus activities doesn’t have to end with your undergraduate experience. From student organizations to recreational activities, there are various ways that you can explore your interests while pursuing a graduate degree.
Campus Opportunities
While some organizations have specific membership requirements, many welcome graduate students alongside undergraduates. The Graduate Student Association (GSA) hosts social events, where graduate students can connect with each other, and offers educational and professional development opportunities. To learn more about the GSA and ways to get involved in the organization, click here.
Graduate students can participate in almost all the 300 clubs and organizations that JMU offers, with the exception of most sororities and fraternities. You can become involved in clubs ranging from sport to environmental clubs. JMU’s engagement platform, BeInvolved, allows you to easily find clubs you may be interested in, as well as sign up for campus events.
If you’re looking for ways to stay active, you have full access to the University Recreation Center’s (UREC) facilities as an enrolled graduate student. UREC offers workout classes, intramural sports, adventure trips, equipment rentals and more. Getting involved doesn’t always mean joining a club or committing to a regular schedule. You also have access to campus events, including performances at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. You can also sign up for volunteer opportunities through the Community Engagement and Volunteer Center. Graduate students are also able to participate in break experiences such as the Alternative Break Program (ABP) and can even take part in select study abroad experiences through their programs or by applying for grants.
Lastly, if you’re looking to build connections with your fellow graduate student peers, JMU has several organizations that are only open to graduate students including organizations only available to graduate students studying in select programs. To learn more about these programs, visit The Graduate School website.
Although many organizations at JMU welcome graduate students, membership requirements and time commitments vary. Before joining, check each organization’s eligibility guidelines to make sure the group aligns with your schedule and interests. Whether you’re hoping to develop a new skill or connect with fellow Dukes, becoming involved in these organizations can add to your graduate student experience at JMU.
