Not only is college a place for students to advance their education but it is also a place where they can meet lifelong friends and explore their interests outside of the classroom. If you are a rising college freshman worried about making those connections, here are the five most unique college clubs that you didn’t even know existed, to give you hope that you’ll find your people.
1. Skydiving Club 
What is it: The Skydiving Club is one of the many club sports that students can participate in at select universities. Experienced members can train for collegiate competitions where they will compete against other schools, getting judged on their formations and the accuracy of landings. However, no experience is required, and beginners can get coached through their first jump from licensed professionals.
Where you might find it: MIT, University of Connecticut, UMass Amherst, U.S. Military at West Point, Georgia Tech, Northeastern University, Kansas State University, and more!
2. Cheese Club 
What is it: The Cheese Club is a place where students can try different cheeses while also meeting new people and learning new things in the process. The club hosts different events ranging from Cheese Trivia to the Halloween-themed Night of the Living Chedd where members can bond over their love of cheese and make new friends. As the club’s co-president puts it, “There’s something about cheese that just brings people together.”
Where you might find it: Rutgers, Tufts University, Princeton University, Purchase College, New York University, William and Mary, and the University of Waterloo!
3. Squirrel Club 
What is it: The Squirrel Club is an organization made up of students and members of the community that dedicate their Sunday mornings to feeding squirrels on campus. The club teaches them the proper technique and supplies them with peanuts. They also raise money for wildlife foundations and host events for members to bond over their love of nature.
Where you might find it: University of Michigan, University of Houston, University of Connecticut, Ohio State University, Cornell University, University of Maryland, etc!
4. Underwater Hockey Club
What is it: The Underwater Hockey Club is a club sport that features hockey players with flippers instead of skates and a pool instead of a rink. Members of the club learn how to navigate the new sport, and can even play against other colleges in competitive tournaments. Students say they enjoy it because they can get exercise and also make new friends in the process.
Where you might find it: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Michigan State University, University of Florida, University of Illinois, and others!
5. Happiness Club 
What is it: The Happiness Club is a club whose purpose is to spread joy and brighten students’ days however possible.They do activities like making friendship bracelets, leaving kind notes around campus, and wrapping gifts for the holidays. They also host a Paw Palooza event where students can interact with therapy dogs to lift their spirits and make them smile.
Where you might find it: Vanderbilt University, Kansas State University, Brown University, Emory University, Northeastern University, and many more!
If you’re nervous about finding your place once you get to college, don’t be, because these clubs show that there is no passion too niche to form a community around. Whether you are going to pursue underwater hockey, feed squirrels on the weekends, or simply want to make people smile, a club exists to welcome you. So embrace your passions, get involved in things that excite you, and join that club.
Sources:
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/uncommon-college-clubs?slide=2
https://maizepages.umich.edu/organization/squirrelclub
https://www.unc.edu/discover/hockey-under-water/
https://news.lafayette.edu/2023/11/29/student-run-club-lafayette-happiness-project-is-on-a-mission/
