Ask the Expert: How to get involved in your first semester at ODU

Nelan Tagra is an ODU Nursing grad who currently works as a psych nurse.  When she wrote this blog in 2017, she was a sophomore intended nursing major, Historian for the Student Nurses’ Association and member of the ODU Running Club. Nelan’s first semester at ODU was in fall 2015. She was in the Health Professions Learning Community and HLTH 101. In this post, Nelan shares her story about getting involved at ODU and how you can do the same!

Why & How?

Instead of thinking of my first year in college as an adjustment year, I knew I wanted to be involved right away. In high school, I was the president of Operation Smile and a member of Cross Country, Athletic Training, Medical Honor Society, and National Honor Society. I had gotten so used to my busy schedule and oddly enough, I didn’t want to let go of it in college. Volunteering has become addictive to me and it’s always nice to have a fun yet productive break in between studying. I’m a commuter from Virginia Beach and I often make big gaps in between my classes to make room for it.

The challenge of balancing myself in between academics, extracurriculars, friends, and family has also helped me to manage my time wisely. So when I heard about the Fall Involvement Fair through the Health Professions Learning Community, I went on a hunt for organizations to join. Going to the fair even counted for my “Capture Campus” assignment in HLTH101: Introduction to Health Professions, which was a bonus. I scoured the through the mass of tables at Kaufman and by the end of the day, I signed myself up for the Running Club and Student Nurses’ Association.           

Tip #1: If you didn’t go to the Involvement Fair and still want to join something, check out CampusGroups.  You can access it through your ODU Portal. This will give you access to all of the organizations on campus, which offers even more options than the Fair!

So What?

Utilizing what the learning community offered and being an active member of the Running Club and Student Nurses’ Association extremely enhanced my first ever monarch experience.

Through the Health Professions Learning Community, I:

• Went on a field trip to Eastern Virginia Medical School.
• Went rock climbing for my “Capture Campus” assignment.
• Had a movie night with my classmates and Professor Lopez. We watched The Doctor for Sociology.
• Met Janice Hawkins, Chief Academic Advisor for the School of Nursing, and Bria, my favorite SNA, lab, and study partner.
• Got involved in the Norfolk community through amazing programs like CareNow and CINCH. I worked with children in James Blair Middle School and families at the Granby YMCA.

  

  

Through the Running Club, I:

• Met friends from different majors who loved running just as much as me.
• Got to run in several 5ks (3.1 miles) like the Big Blue and Harbor Lights.
• Ran 2-5 miles, two to four times a week.

  

  

Tip #2: Find your favorite way to exercise and do it with others! It’ll make you feel healthy, happy, and motivated. If you can’t find an organization to join, you can also visit the Student Recreation Center. They have various group exercises throughout the week. There’s pilates, yoga, cycling, step and sculpt, crossfit, zumba, and more! The best part of it is that it’s free.

Through Student Nurses’ Association, I:

Met current nursing students who still answer all my questions about the program, clinicals, etc.

Volunteered constantly, on and off campus! I went to Unity Fest, Relay for Life, Blood Pressure Training at Bayside High School, Breastival, Be the Match, and Homecoming events, just to name a few.Got to use my artistic abilities that I didn’t utilize in my classes.Became an officer as a pre-nursing student

Tip #3: Don’t be afraid to sign up for a leadership role, even during your first year in college. Long lasting organizations thrive on leaders from various levels. This allows for a constant flow of members and officers for years to come.

Any difficulties?

I think the hardest part was figuring out what I really wanted to spend my free time on. Maybe it’s the same problem for you too but after that, trust me, the opportunities will just keep coming. Definitely study hard, but also balance it with learning and experiencing outside of class.

Interested in getting involved like Nelan? Use CampusGroups to search for student organizations by keyword.  Health related organizations include:

• Autism Speaks U
• Community Service Council
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
• Medical Laboratory Science Students Association (MLSSA)
• Operation Smile
• Physical Therapy Club
• Pre-Health Club
• Red Cross Club
• Student American Dental Hygienists Association
• Student Health Advisory Committee
• Student National Environmental Health Association (SNEHA)
• Student Nurses Association (SNA)

Other ways you can find opportunities for involvement:

• Connect with the Office of Student Engagement and Traditions
• Volunteer through the Center for Service and Civic Engagement 
  • You can find current opportunities by searching HelperHelper
• Attend a group fitness class at the SRC
• Check out the Outdoor Adventure Program
• Walk around Webb during Activity Hour