S2 - E16 - Campus connections (Engagement)

ASCEND Podcast

We have found in many instances that many students often struggle to go to an event, activity, or program on their own. If they have to go on their own, they often will choose not to go at all. Struggling with attending big events or going somewhere on one's own can be attributed to a variety of factors, including social anxiety, fear of the unknown, lack of confidence, introversion, or previous negative experiences. It's important to recognize that each person is unique, and their struggles may stem from a combination of these factors. To increase the chances of students attending (or feeling more comfortable attending) events and activities, thereby hopefully increasing their sense of belonging and connection to place, we created smaller niche events that were held a few times a week that would allow smaller gatherings based around a particular hobby (i.e. Dungeons and Dragons; painting night, telling ghost stories, etc.)
We have discovered that small group events at college can provide valuable opportunities for introverts and shy students to connect and engage with others in a more comfortable and manageable setting. Here are some ways we have found in which small group events can be designed to cater to the needs of introverts and shy students.