| Emily (Class of 2024) is majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Spanish, while exploring Music Industry as well as Media and Screen Studies. Emily is part of the Tastemaker Music Magazine on campus. Her favorite class has been Introductions to Communication Studies with Steve Granelli. |
It’s no secret that the transition into freshman year of college is hard. I would argue that being undeclared can make it even harder sometimes. My freshman year, each class I took was in a different major. Unlike my roommate, who was declared and saw the same people in most of her classes, I felt like I was missing out on a sense of community. I had trouble feeling like I belonged anywhere. The Explore Program was perfect for connecting me with other students in the same position as me, but I also wanted to find a community of people with similar interests as me.
Many people told me that joining clubs was the best way to get involved on the college campus, and I underestimated how true this was. I attended the Fall Fest looking for clubs to join, and I was so overwhelmed by all the possibilities. I can’t even count how many different information sessions I went to! However, one club in particular stood out to me: Tastemakers Music Magazine. It’s an organization that allows students to write about their opinions on music, as well as host concerts and events. Everyone was so welcoming, I just knew that this was the club for me. Tastemakers introduced me to so many people with whom I shared a common interest, and some of them even became my best friends.
Being part of Tastemakers also helped me with my academic exploration process. I joined the promotions department in the organization, which deals with marketing and event planning. I was already taking an Intro To Communications class, but through Tastemakers I got to see a real life application of the field. I got to post on social media accounts, work on promoting events, and more. I would credit a large part of my decision to declare a Communications Major to my experiences with Tastemakers. On top of that, I learned that I really love planning concerts and working with artists. This inspired me to take a Music Industry class this semester, and I’m now considering pursuing it as a minor or combined major. This is something I never would have considered if it weren’t for the opportunities I was given through Tastemakers.
For me, joining a club was the most valuable decision I made freshman year. Not only did it introduce me to a whole community of people passionate about music just like myself, but it also helped me explore my academic interests. In my experience, this was even more valuable than anything I learned in class. The connections I have made and will continue to make will open doors for me throughout my entire college experience. To anyone feeling the same way I did, desiring a sense of community, I strongly recommend joining a club. Go to as many first meetings as you can, until you find one that is perfect for you. The people you meet, the experiences you encounter, and the opportunities you are given will have an impact on the rest of your time at Northeastern, and maybe even past that.