Studying at Bilkent and receiving high grades are important but gaining a social personality, making friends and getting involved in club and sports activities are an essential part of life at Bilkent too. The new generation realizes that if you are not social, having a high GPA is simply not enough any more.
New Bilkenters walking along the club stands in front of the ODEON last week received information from touting club members as part of the Orientation Program. During the orientation, clubs try to attract as many members as they can by extolling their aims and projects for the coming academic year. There is a certain degree of competition between social clubs which adds to the fun, and is besides healthy and motivating.
More than 70 clubs each year contribute to the social life of the students. Though each one is different, a club has several common goals: to contribute to the social life on campus, to build an environment where members can make friends, to develop their organizational and communication skills, to contribute to the creation of a "Bilkent Spirit", and to create a positive image of Bilkent among non-Bilkenters. Clubs, of course, also work in harmony and organize some events in association with each other in order to contribute to the "we" feeling at Bilkent.
What exactly do clubs do to socialize students? One thing common to all clubs is that they hold meetings. In the meetings, members discuss possible projects to help achieve club aims; and time spent working together helps build close relationships. The organizational work of projects is divided between volunteer club members; thus all members are given a chance to develop their skills and take responsibility.
All new students have the choice of being either a "player" who makes something happen or an "observer" who watches others do it. We hope to see all new students join a club. So go for it, become a member and discover your potential!
Can Akşahin (IR/II)
