This column is written by student members of the University Student Council.
With the Week of the Active Student behind us, the memories of how you yourself became an active student come flooding back. For example, some students already think about becoming active students during the introduction week and others find out a bit later.
Discovering Nijmegen student life
Parker from ISEC was the type of student who went from lecture to lecture; according to him, it started to feel very gradually like something fundamental was missing from the chapter of his life that he was writing.
In contrast, Bente from SOFv had already become enthusiastic at the first touch of an active student life. As a brand-new student, she feasted her eyes during the introduction week, because of what Nijmegen's association life had to offer. The opportunities to get outside your study bubble and meet people you didn't just know from the lecture hall immediately appealed to her. Even though the first activities were during covid times, it gave her the opportunity to meet new people. Students who had been around a bit longer and could share their experiences about studies, studying, going out, living on your own and so on.
After doubting for a while whether it was possible to combine student life with her study programme, Bente decided to register for a committee. According to her, this step was the first step towards an active student life, a step that ended up meaning a lot for her student time.
Meanwhile, Parker became increasingly curious and sought social validation. He joined a few student organisations. Then joined more. And more. Committees, lunch lectures, GMAs, CoBos, the almighty Cantus... far beyond his initial expectations, he found the campus vibrant and thriving with an unknown life. He discovered, behind the red curtain lay a busy, beige collection of more eclectic student activities than could reasonably fit into his schedule. The only shame then was not being able to be present at everything.
Further developing student life
While Parker continued to discover Nijmegen's association life, Bente was doing the same. She rolled on from one committee to another. As covid restrictions faded away, the magnificence of Nijmegen's student city became more and more visible. Her enthusiasm for the association and the quest for further personal development made her decide to do a board year. A year on the board that, according to her, brought her more than she had ever dared hope for. Because of all the opportunities the board year gave her, her appreciation for active students grew. So she wanted to give something back. Through SOFv, she got the opportunity to do an board year while being able to represent the interests of many (active) students in the USC. This way, she can help the students who gave her a unique student time, have a unique student time as well.
Meanwhile, Parker was also busy setting up a new student participation party, ISEC. Initially, they wanted to address a very limited number of issues related to international students. But, as Parker points out, in a student council you inevitably get involved in so many new projects with various goals that you sometimes lose track of your original focus.
The University Student Council
Currently, Parker and Bente are working on various projects within the USC. They get an exclusive look into the university this year in the council. By co-discussing various policy documents and talking to different policy staff members, they can represent the interests of students; a unique opportunity that is very meaningful.
No matter your individual path to active studenthood, whether it is committee member, board or council, it is a unique opportunity and an enrichment of your student time.
