LaGuardia Community College has a club for just about every interest and skill. Photography, chess, creative writing, women in stem, tabletop board games, psychology, cooking, anime, economics, are all clubs organized by students for students.
Despite the presence of these clubs at LaGuardia, each offering leadership and community-building opportunities, a growing number of LaGuardia students show little to no interest in joining student-led clubs, limited knowledge on the various clubs, and a general disinterest in attending club-sponsored events.
According to LaGuardia students, the heavy burden of coursework is the leading cause for the decline in club participation. Most students enroll in four or five courses per semester of varying levels of difficulty, each demanding several assignments, quizzes, and exams. Balancing academic obligations with part-time jobs and social lives leaves students with limited time and energy to invest in club activities.
Louisa Rodriguez, a 19-year-old nursing student at LaGuardia, exemplifies this struggle of juggling coursework and other responsibilities. “I already spend a lot of time [at LaGuardia] in classes,” says Rodriguez, “The last thing I want to do is spend even more time here. I just want to go home and relax.”
The rise of social media platforms and online communities has also played a role in the declining interest in clubs. Social media platforms such as Instagram and interest-based platforms like Discord provide channels for students to connect with like-minded people without the commitment required by joining a club on campus. These platforms cater to specific hobbies, interests, and career aspirations, making it easier for students to find and participate in communities that align with their hobbies and skills.
23-year-old Ivan Flores, a first year computer science student, enjoys spending his free time playing video games. “I just don’t feel the need to join [a club],” says Flores. “I already have my friends I talk to on Discord and Snapchat.”
Even if clubs were hybrid, hosted partially in-person and online, Flores still expresses hesitancy over joining.
“I think that would be much better than having it be strictly in person,” says Flores, “But I still just can’t see myself joining one. I really just don’t see the point.”
