{College-Bound} Questions to Consider Before Joining a Club, Cause, or Caravan

Heading to college soon? Many opportunities for personal growth and friendships await you. These may occur by joining clubs, causes, and caravans. How exciting! And, perhaps a little intimidating.  No worries. We’ve got a few questions for you to consider as you make your decisions.

All clubs, or organizations, have causes they support. Book clubs, national organizations, honor societies, and more. They all have goals—even the Couch Potato Club.

However, there are certain causes or movements people back that may not be associated with a specific club or organization. Examples may be friends gathering supplies for the homeless or promoting July’s “National Picnic Month.”

The meaning of the caravan in this article is similar to a “bandwagon.” It’s viewed as following a trending movement and supporting a cause simply because other people are doing it. It’s often hitched to specific lingo and slogans.

As you grow into adulthood, you’ll hear many impassioned voices expressing their thoughts and values. One of our greatest freedoms is the freedom of speech. However, sometimes hearing the multitude of opinions can be overwhelming.

What You May Hear Before Joining College Clubs & Causes

“You should join this club because of all the good they’re doing.”

“Don’t associate with that group. They just cause trouble.”

“You’ll be well-liked if you support this cause.”

“We’re protesting. You in?”

“You won’t get a scholarship if you take part in that.”

“Future employers will take you more seriously if you are a member of this organization.”

“If you want to be accepted, you must use the correct terminology.”

“Why are you reading that group’s pamphlet? It’s hate speech.”

The verbal sway is stressful. Should you simply avoid all clubs, causes, and caravans?

Not necessarily.

Take on the role of an investigative reporter. Discover the answers to a few key questions to help you make decisions about which club, cause, or caravan to join.

Who Are They?

Research who started the club or organization. Has the leadership or original focus changed in recent years?

Go a little deeper. Check the groups’ websites and other media to see who they are affiliated with. Who supports them? Look for the words: partners, sponsors, associates, endorsers, friends, and supporters.

Look for who the organization you’re considering supports and promotes.

What Do They Believe?

What is the club/organization’s mission statement? What is the primary worldview of its members?

Look at the lingo in their materials and online. What similar words and phrases are repeated? For believers, it’s vital we study how these words line up with scripture.

Initiate conversations with their current members. Do they tend to drop trendy, buzzwords of the day, or do they clearly communicate their beliefs using their own words?

What do they like about the group? What changes would they like to see happen?

How Do They Treat Others?

Do the overall actions of the group coincide with their stated beliefs and goals?

How do they treat nonmembers who disagree with their cause?

What does the leadership do when members disagree with an aspect of the club?

If you connect with their caravan, what happens later, if you decide you want to venture in another direction?

Why Join College Clubs, Causes, & Caravans?

After you find out all the details, it then boils down to why. What’s their motive in getting you on board with them?

More importantly, what’s your motive by uniting with them?

When in Doubt

You’ve heard the wise saying, when in doubt, wait.

Sometimes it’s not easy if we have friends and family pressing us to become involved in something they highly esteem.

Or, perhaps we have a short window of time to make a decision.

If possible, research ahead of time the clubs, causes, and caravans you may encounter.

Just as there is no perfect church, there is no perfect club or organization. They are made up of flawed human beings with a multitude of opinions and preferences. You’ll not find a club that thinks exactly like you do. Unless it’s a club of one.

Engage in respectful conversations. Listen well.

Even if you decide the group is not for you, you might still learn something about the people with whom you’re talking. Take an interest in their life-stories.

Perhaps you’ll be asked to share your story and what has shaped you along the way.

Clubs, causes, and even a few caravans can educate and enrich lives. Many good things can happen when people unite for a common cause.

Even so, being a part of a club or organization is not essential for a successful or a joyful life. But, they do provide opportunities to connect with other people.

Still, we must be careful to guard our hearts, our minds, and the sincerity of our statements of faith. As believers, we are called to be courageously and radically different.

So, be diligent in your observations and conversations.

Then, ask yourself three more important questions.

3 More Questions Before Joining College Clubs, Causes, & Caravans

Where do you look for true wisdom?

Go there. Get wisdom.

Who is your infallible source of strength?

Trust Him. Be strong.

What will you do when you feel the pressure to join the ways of the world?

Stand firm. Be courageous.

Want more tips?

Check out this blog post about three books that help guide young adults to make wise decisions.

Another great resource is at OpenTheBible.org:  20 Tips for the Christian College Student.

A freelance writer, Sally Matheny’s writing is published in worldwide, national, regional, online and print publications including Appleseeds, Clubhouse Jr., Homeschooling Today, and The Old Schoolhouse.

As a blogger and speaker, Sally encourages families to use the power of story, history, and His Story to tell the next generation wondrous things.

Connect with her on several social media sites, but her favorite hangouts are at SallyMatheny.com and Pinterest.