Students explore Cougar Kickoff during weeks of welcome, Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/ The Cougar
The first week of classes is always one of the busiest, yet calmest, parts of the semester. Between syllabus week, adjusting to a new routine and meeting new people, those first few days set the tone for the months ahead.
Amid all the craziness, one of the most valuable things students can do is find a place to get involved. Whether that’s Greek life, a club tied to your major or an organization centered around a hobby, joining something outside the classroom can make a huge difference in college experience and future opportunities.
Thankfully, UH has no shortage of options. With more than 600 student organizations, there’s truly something for everyone. If that sounds overwhelming, that’s exactly why Cats Back exists.
Held during Weeks of Welcome alongside events like Cage Rage, CougarCon and RecFest, the two-day event brings hundreds of organizations together in one place, making it one of the easiest ways to discover what campus has to offer.
During Cats Back, student organizations fill the Student Center, giving students the chance to meet members, ask questions and learn about everything from academic clubs to cultural organizations and Greek life.
Finding your place at UH
While many students think of Cats Back as a freshman event, it shouldn’t be. If you’re a first-year student looking for your community or a senior looking to get more involved before graduation, it’s never too late to find an organization that matches your interests.
If you’re not sure what you’re interested in or want an idea of which orgs to look for, UH offers a quiz that students can take based on their interests, which narrows down the best-fit organizations and gives you a better idea of what to look for when attending Cats Back.
In the day-to-day, between classes, work and other responsibilities, it’s easy for students to forget or deem being part of an organization unimportant. In reality, it’s important to be part of something bigger than yourself, to have responsibilities that give back to your community or interests and to put your skills to good use.
If you’re a commuter, an organization can give you a reason to stay on campus a little longer and get to know classmates beyond the classroom. If you live on campus, it can be the push you need to leave your dorm, try something new and take advantage of everything the university has to offer.
Organizations also offer students opportunities they might not find elsewhere. Whether that’s leading a team, planning events, volunteering, networking with alumni or simply finding people who share your interests, those experiences often become just as valuable as the classes you’re taking. They build confidence and create memories that last long after graduation.
That’s why Cats Back is one of the most important Weeks of Welcome events you can go to. Even if you don’t end up joining an organization that day, walking around, asking questions and exploring what’s available could lead you to opportunities you didn’t know existed.
opinion@thedailycougar.com
