Academic clubs are simply just clubs formed with the approval of an educational institution, whether that's a high school or university! They usually have an advisor or faculty member who oversees the club, even if the administrative duties and other driving tasks are completed by club members. Types of academic clubs Although it’s perfectly appropriate to have a study club for a class or a club dedicated to learning more about a particular topic, academic clubs don’t have to be academic in nature to be an academic club. Your academic club can focus on cooking, film, video games, fitness, or whatever else you’d like to spend your time on. You can also take it outside the school and create or join a hiking club, basketball club, or running club and meet up with your fellow members for a pickup game or day hike! Benefits of academic clubs In addition to tangible benefits like being able to list academic clubs as extracurricular activities on resumes and university applications, there are intangible benefits as well. A structured time to socialize with new people and a place to hear opinions different than yours are both wonderfully beneficial for both high school and college students alike. You’ll also learn and hone your real-life skills in time management and conflict resolution, all while learning more about a topic that already interests you! How to start your own academic club In order to start your own academic club, you’ll first need approval from your institution. This may come in the form of registering at a student union, or simply approval from a professor who will provide oversight. Check with your particular school to make sure you know the process. Once you’ve properly registered, it’s time to work out the other details of your club. How often will you meet? Is it membership only? Will members need to pay dues, of some sort? How will you manage this process? You may be able to manage your members with a simple spreadsheet, or by the honor system, or you may need a membership management system like Join It. How to keep your club members engaged One of the hardest things about running a club is keeping your members engaged. In addition to having regular meetings, you should also make it easy for group members to engage outside of regular meetings. Send out a newsletter, run a members-only Slack group, or hold special events. Not only will this keep your existing members engaged, but it will also encourage new potential members to join with the promise of regular interactions. Academic clubs can be a great way to learn more about new topics, socialize, and make new friends. Considering starting your own club? Try out Join It’s free 30-day trial and see if we can help.