Got spirit?

Attend Temple events.

Sounds obvious, right? You’d be surprised how many students don’t take advantage of what their tuition pays for and just get ‘crunk’ everyday. We are NOT Penn State. Any home sporting event is free for Temple students, so make sure to get some school spirit and head to a football or basketball game. Too cool for school spirit you say? Get over yourself.

In addition to sports games, there are other campus-wide events like Spring Fling, Homecoming and Free Food and Fun Fridays at the Student Center. With such a large group of student organizations, there is always some event going on around campus, and many times it costs less than $10.

Check The Temple News and Facebook, to find upcoming events. You will be more inundated with events than the Dursleys were with Harry Potter’s acceptance letter to Hogwarts. I know, I know…we’re all in withdrawal.

We know a party is fun, but you live on an incredible campus in an incredible city. There is a ridiculous number of ways to get involved here, and it’s the easiest way to make friends.

College is the time when you grow the most and learn the most about yourself. One of the best ways to do this is to get involved in student organizations. If that wasn’t your thing in high school, maybe now is the time to do it.

The organizations are all across the board, and include everything from business fraternities to a Quidditch team. In case none of Temple’s 320 student organizations tickle your fancy, fear not, you can create your own.

What’s great about being in a student organization is that you share interests with people in it (duh), but more importantly, you form friendships and networking opportunities for the workplace. In addition, a student organization will give you a break from your class routine.

Volunteering is also a great way to get involved at Temple and it’s heavily needed. When you told family members you were going to Temple, they probably joked about a bullet-proof vest, right? The reality is that while the community around Temple may not be the safest, there are plenty of good people in it who are trying to improve their community.

As a student living in this area, it might be worth noting how less fortunate the people living around you are. Instead of turning a blind eye, choose to help make it better. Prove the stereotype wrong. That’s what Temple spirit really is.

Matthew Flocco can be reached at  matthew.flocco@temple.edu.