When you think about college, I feel like students often consider the typical things, such as majors, clubs, internships, and more. While all these aspects of college are important, for this blog, I will be diving into what it means to become more involved at URochester through clubs and organizations. As a senior who is very involved in the admissions process at URochester, I often get asked questions about the social scene here, what students do for fun, and specific clubs on campus.
Although I love sharing my own experiences and observations with admitted and prospective students, sometimes hearing more individualized experiences from other students can be even more helpful in answering these questions. So, for this blog, I went around asking my senior friends two questions: What is a club or organization that has impacted your college experience, and what advice would you give to first- and second-year students about trying something new? Here’s what they had to say!
Amaris Asiedu (She/they), Class of 2027, Major: Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
They mention that the club that has impacted them the most was Queer Students of color, which wasn’t a club at all initially it was a discussion group. They describes how joining this discussion group helped them to become more comfortable in their queer identity and meet many of the college friends they have today. They mentioned that joining this discussion group inspired them to expand this discussion group into a club and with their friend made the club now known as Queer in Color (QIC). They’re now a senior advisor for QIC and can now see how impactful this club has been to the current student body.
I asked Amaris what advice they would give to first-year and incoming students about trying new experiences. They said “Pace yourself. When they first came to URochester I waited till spring semester of freshman to figure out more what I wanted before joining clubs. Everyone’s journey is different so you don’t have to pace yourself according to another person’s journey.”
Zoe J. Pittman (She/her), December 2026, Major: Clinical Translational Science
Zoe mentions that the club that has impacted her the most was the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS). She describes how joining this club helped her gain guidance in her career and connect with like-minded students who share similar career interests. One of her most memorable experiences was attending a conference where she was surrounded by Black doctors and medical students. This experience allowed her to see people who looked like her pursuing similar career paths and helped her build connections within the medical field.
I asked Zoe what advice she would give to first-year and incoming students about trying new experiences. She said, “Just do it scared and push yourself. Push yourself to try new things because you don’t want to look back and say you wish you tried that. You can at least say I tried it and liked it or tried it and didn’t like it. You may also find people who may become your close friends and network connections.”
Kadiatou Kant (She/Her), Class of 2027, Major: Computational Biology
Kadiatou mentions that the program that has impacted her the most was UR PreDoc. She describes how joining this program has provided her with valuable mentorship and guidance in pursuing a career in medicine. Through the program, she has a senior mentor who is a doctor she can shadow and a junior mentor who is currently an MD/PhD student. Her junior mentor has helped her better understand the MD/PhD pathway, what programs she should consider, and how to prepare for the application process. She also appreciates the group meetings, where students receive guidance on topics such as the MCAT and medical school applications. Most importantly, she values the sense of community the program has provided, allowing her to connect with other pre-med students who share similar career interests.
I asked Kadiatou what advice she would give to first-year and incoming students about trying new experiences. She said, “Do things alone. If you have friends you want to do things with, that’s great. But it’s important to develop your own identity outside your friends so you’re not always doing what your friends want to do, but instead develop your own interests.”
Mary (She/her), Class of 2027, Major: American Sign Language
Mary mentions that the clubs that have impacted her the most were Ma’Frisah and the Pan-African Students’ Association (PASA). She describes how being involved in these clubs during her first and second years helped her become more social and connect with upperclass students. Through these clubs, she was able to attend more events on campus and explore new experiences with the support and guidance of older students. She appreciates how these clubs helped her build connections and become more comfortable getting involved on campus.
I asked Mary what advice she would give to first-year and incoming students about trying new experiences. She said, “Just go for it, it doesn’t hurt. Going on E-board or joining leadership roles helps with character development and building your social life.”
Brennan Price (He/him), Class of 2027, Major: English: Language, Media and Communications
Brennan mentions that the club that has impacted him the most was ROC Players. He describes how being involved in this club has taught him valuable life skills through its different creative aspects, such as production, directing, and acting. Through his leadership role in the club, he has learned how to work collaboratively with others, develop and present his own ideas, and find solutions to challenges. He also mentions how being responsible for leading the club and ensuring its future has helped him develop his leadership skills. Most importantly, he appreciates how the different challenges he has faced through the club have taught him to think on his feet and persevere through difficult situations.
I asked Brennan what advice he would give to first-year and incoming students about trying new experiences. He said, “Put yourself out there. I always view being a part of a club as a 50/50 experience. 50% is the club having to put in effort towards you as the new person, but you as a person have to be willing to put in the other 50%. No matter how hard it may seem, still put yourself out there, even if that’s baby steps or just talking to one other club member.”
Marilyn Garcia Perez (Any pronouns), Class of 2027, Major: Creative Writing
Marilyn mentions that the club that has impacted her the most was Salseros. She describes how joining this club provided her with a welcoming environment to learn how to dance and connect with a community of people who share her love for dancing. Through Salseros, she has been able to build meaningful friendships, gain more confidence, and find a sense of joy throughout her college experience. She also mentions how much fun she has had being part of the club’s executive board and appreciates the opportunities it has given her to connect with others who share similar interests.
I asked Marilyn what advice she would give to first-year and incoming students about trying new experiences. She said, “Try not to second guess yourself too much. Sometimes you think you might not bode well with a club. But if you go to it like once or twice, you start to realize that club might actually be your calling. Actually go out of your comfort zone because it will help you grow as a person and help you discover something new about yourself. If you find something you are interested in, just go for it.”
Janaid (She/her), Class of 2027, Major: Spanish & English: Language, Media, and Communications
Janaid mentions that the club that has impacted her the most was Rochester EZ’s Ultimate Frisbee Club. She describes how joining this club during the spring semester of her junior year introduced her to a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community. She appreciates how the team accepts everyone regardless of their background and creates an environment where members never have to question whether they belong. Through this club, she has gained more self-confidence, especially mentally, and developed meaningful connections with her teammates. She also values the sportsmanship within the club, as ultimate frisbee is self-refereed and encourages players to communicate, understand one another, and uphold the spirit of the game. Most importantly, she appreciates how being part of this community has helped her find a place where she feels like she belongs.
I asked Janaid what advice she would give to first-year and incoming students about trying new experiences. She said, “Don’t worry so much about trying to fit in somewhere or being worried if you fit in somewhere because once you find the right fit, there’s never that worry. So focus on where you fit rather than if you fit somewhere. Find your people, don’t try to fit in with those who aren’t your people.”
Alicia Markovich (She/her), Class of 2027, Major: American Sign Language & Linguistics
Alicia mentions that the club that has impacted her the most was the Meliora Figure Skating Club. She describes how she joined the club later in her college journey after watching the Winter Olympics and becoming interested in trying figure skating herself. After seeing posters around campus advertising that no experience was required, she decided to give it a try. What started as trying something new quickly turned into a lifelong passion! She appreciates how supportive and encouraging the club members have been, especially as someone who joined with no prior experience. Since joining, she has become an active member and now serves as the club’s secretary. Most importantly, she values how the club provides her with a peaceful escape from the stress of school and work while surrounding her with an amazing community of people.
I asked Alicia what advice she would give to first-year and incoming students about trying new experiences. She said, “Go for it! Even if you don’t feel like you’d fit in, it is worth a shot. The worst thing that can happen is that it just isn’t for you, but at least you tried!”
After hearing how my friends answered my questions, I hope you have gained a better understanding of why it’s important to try new things, especially in college, where you have the opportunity to explore a diverse range of activities here on campus. As you can see from their experiences, getting involved can lead to meaningful friendships, personal growth, greater confidence, and even opportunities you may have never expected. Whether you are a first-year student or someone further along in your college journey, it is never too late to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. You never know what experiences, opportunities, or people you might discover along the way!