Why did I choose Loyola? Was it just the scholarship? Most people that I ask don’t seem to know the answers to these questions. Let me pose a more important question: What am I getting out of my college experience?

Last week was Pack Pride’s Spirit Week. I don’t have school spirit – not really. I don’t go to sporting events or do that “Oww Oww” Wolfpack thing with my hand.

I do, however, enjoy writing guest columns for The Maroon. I participate in many student activities, including swim club, Public Relations Society of Social America and University Ministry’s Awakening. In a way, being active in campus activities makes me spirited.

So, why Loyola? Opportunity.

I find opportunity in service and pre-professional development. Each activity enhances my skills that are transferable to the workplace.

Let’s face it; we go to school to prepare ourselves for life and, more specifically, for our careers. Becoming active in campus organizations provides the tools for working with other people in a more serious atmosphere.

Participation comes with responsibility and it forces you to multi-task and to develop time management skills. All of these tasks build you professionally as well as academically.

Campus involvement causes you to surround yourself with other driven people who challenge you to be greater. It raises expectations for yourself. It keeps you on track.

Students who are involved in campus organizations have higher GPAs and hear about great internships and jobs first. This is what we call “being in the loop.”

It isn’t a bad thing. it allows students to take advantage of opportunities. Let me challenge you to get in the loop. Start now or on Monday. Get involved and see what is going on. Take the time to support a charitable cause such as a Tsunami Relief benefit. Get to know your student leaders. Bring your friends to a Third Friday party in the Res Quad.

Here is the big secret to getting involved on campus: All organizations want more members (with the exception of the Greeks).

Find what interests you or where you can make the greatest difference and just show up to a meeting. Demand acceptance. They want members who take the initiative to get involved. Don’t wait for them to come to you.

Members who come for the free pizza aren’t as likely to stay involved as the truly interested members who take the effort to contact the organization’s president to ask questions.

You are not obligated to stay with an organization if you do not agree with their objectives. So why not give it a shot?

You chose to come here. You pay $23,618 annually for an education of the whole person. More than 100 student organizations on campus are available for you to join. Last semester alone, four new organizations were chartered. You too can start your own student organization. Talk to your student leaders to find out how.

Raise an issue. What changes would you like to see on campus? What would make your college experience better?

The sign with the Catholic humanism sweatshirt on it includes the phrase, “Challenge the status quo.” When you set out to make a difference or to voice your opinion, you grow. You learn from that experience while improving the state of the university. What are you getting out of the college experience? Speak up. Get involved.

Michael Cowen is a communications sophomore from Belton, Texas.