It’s that time of year again, folks!

Whether you’re new to campus or craving something different, the Involvement Fair is making its way to the HUB Lawn to give students the opportunity to peruse a myriad of clubs and organizations offered at Penn State. The fair is set to take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23.

To ease the stress of finding your perfect niche within a large school, we compiled some tips and tricks to make this fall’s fair a breeze.

Plan Ahead

At the risk of sounding like your typical advisor, it’s important to be prepared. Interested in playing women’s club soccer? Find the team on Instagram. Want to cheer on the Nittany Lions on the ice rink? Follow the Roar Zone on all platforms and join their crew. Don’t be afraid to click around on OrgCentral for some more info, too. Finding clubs and organizations ahead of the fair helps you to navigate and know who you want to talk to, so do some research beforehand.

Come With Questions

What do you like about your club? What do you dislike? What has been the most rewarding about your club experience? Have you found this organization to be a professional or more social environment? What leadership positions could I eventually hold in this organization?

These are questions you shouldn’t be afraid to ask student representatives at the Involvement Fair. They are taking time out of their day to recruit, excite, and answer your questions, and want you to leave feeling informed and interested. Take advantage of their knowledge.

Say Yes (Or No!)

Don’t be afraid to say yes to joining a GroupMe and later deciding the club or organization isn’t one you’re interested in committing to. If an organization doesn’t interest you or the recruiter seems just a little too pushy, don’t be afraid to politely tell them that their club just isn’t for you. You have your limits, but don’t be afraid to branch out or try something new. 

Just Passing By

If the hustle and bustle of the Involvement Fair isn’t for you, that’s OK. Keep an open eye and ear for smaller club events on campus. If an organization that someone in one of your classes talks about captures your attention, you could inquire about it privately. The Involvement Fair is a great place to look for pre-professional opportunities, social groups, and new experiences, so feel free to stop by with no goal in mind. It’s easy to leave feeling accidentally inspired, so give it a try.

Don’t forget that if you don’t see something you love, you always have the opportunity to start a club of your own or even join us here at Onward State. Applications to join our staff are open until noon on Sunday, September 3.

Happy club shopping and enjoy the Involvement Fair!