With hundreds of student organizations available on any single given campus today, it can be hard to choose which student organization is right for you. Student-run organizations give people invaluable exposure to alumni networks, internships, and networking opportunities for making lasting connections long after college. No matter what your personal interests are, there is definitely a student organization for you.

Ask around.

This is the best way to get started with sifting through what organizations are best at your college. Though the debate team may sound appealing, not every organization is running the way it should be. Ask older people in your classes what clubs they’re in and why. Ask them about what clubs they visited and turned down right away.

Test the waters.

You have to go see for yourself. The first few weeks of a semester are very easy times to pop into 5 or 10 club meetings to get a feel for the vibe. Though you won’t be able to assess the overall mood right away, it’s still worth the extra effort.

Ask professors.

A lot of student organizations are going to perfectly complement your major. If you major in Political Science, consider the College Republicans or Action Democrat clubs. These clubs will give you real world exposure and internship connections for when you graduate with your degree.

Read the college newspaper.

Every college has at least one student-run newspaper. See what organizations have been busy hosting and what kind of events they do that get exposure in the paper. If there’s an opinion section, also see what other people are your college are saying about their experiences in certain clubs.

As always, the best experience is your own experience. Be sure to give every club open consideration at the beginning of the semester.