, ~I Clubs ~ o (I) Many fears and problems face a freshman when he first goes to college. With feelings of "bei ng out on his own" and overcoming initial home-sickness, the freshman had new added responsibilities suddeply pressing on him. Classes demanded studying and preparation for and in a completely new environment, this seemed to be enough to keep anyone busy. College life, however, did not end as the freshman soon learned, with the books . Living around him were over 2,800 other students, most of whom he did not know, and it was at this time that the social clubs proved their importance and the opportunities they offered were shown to be a true asset to college life. Students joined various clubs , 21 for women, 19 for men and one for married students, for' various reasons. Some enjoyed participating in the clubs for the devotionals and spiritual growth available. The closeness as a family group and the sharing as you would with a sister or brother were two reasons given for being in a social club. Many clubs had "secret" prayer brothers and sisters. Members of a club participating in this activity would be given the name of a person in his or her club. He would then each day pray for this person and oc252 • Social Clubs Introduction A Sense of Belonging "Irs a freshman or transfer'S first sense of belonging at Harding." casionally send an encouraging note through campus mail to his prayer partner. This aided in strengthening individual ties within the clubs as well as giving an opportunity to become close friends with someone you might not have known very well. Upon being asked why she joined a social club, one transfer student replied , " It's a freshman or transfe(s first sense of belonging at Harding. It gives you a place you are needed, broadens your social life and aids in dating" David Sparks, a member of Kappa Sigma, said he liked being a member of a social club because it gave him the opportunity to get close to a large group of people and also he was able to participate in more activities than "They're too 'cliqueish' and I don't like being stereotyped in a certain stigma that people hang on each club." if he were not a member. Working together to help others, doing things as one and winning in sports were other reasons stated for participating in clubs. Everyone on campus, however, did not feel that social clubs were the answer to the problem of a social life. "They're too 'cl iqueish' and I don't like being stereotyped in a certain stigma that people hang on each club," one girl stated. Some students, after being in a club for a year, dropped out for various reasons. "They are too demanding in participation in sports, too many people look for their identity to come from the social club th~y're in; people should be known for their life, not their social club." The controversial pledge week was another reason given for lack of participation in the clubs. The social clubs; they were all different. Some stressed spiritual growth, others stressed service to the community while even others held winning in sports as their main goal. Yet they were all alike in that they each aided students to adapt to that demanding thing called college life. THE SPIRIT OF BEING ONE FAMILY is feU most at the club devotionals such as the one above with Knights and Phi Delta.
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