21 Sussex Open House

Candy, dancing, and origami: that might sum up 21 Sussex's Halloween Open House in a nutshell. If you haven't heard of 21 Sussex before, let me explain: the building is home to essential services on campus and holds offices for a number of student groups, ranging from an Origami club to the Tamil Students Association. At 21 Sussex, you can also access the Ulife Service Centre, the multi-faith prayer and meditation room, the Sex and Gender Diversity Office, and the Sexual Education Centre. Basically, it's an all-round great resource on campus.

Last Wednesday, 21 Sussex threw open its doors and after grabbing a bingo sheet filled with club-related clues, students were able to make their way up to take part in cupcake decorating, 'Spooktionary', and explore club offices. The Only Human Dance Collective (OHDC) held a great Thriller-themed dance class while other clubs were ready with lots of information and plenty of treats (no tricks). But, the Open House was about more than just picking up some spooky new dance moves: it was a chance to learn more about the great range of clubs we're lucky enough to enjoy on campus!

U of T is actually home to around 800 clubs and student-run organizations across its campuses and there are organizations serving just about any interest. If you can't find a club, you can always start one by registering through Ulife. Making the time for extracurriculars is totally worthwile: club involvement is rewarding both academically and professionally. Research has shown that extracurricular activities actually improve academic performance and you'll be learning valuable skills all along the way. The Co-Curricular Record was launched two years ago to help students make the most of these extracurricular opportunities: you can search and track opportunities on campus, link those experiences to skills, and have your activities recognized on an official institutional document. Student Life co-ordinator Kimberly Elias says club involvement can help develop communication skills, teamwork, and leadership -- all skills that employers and graduate schools are looking for! Through the CCR, you can frame your experiences and use them in your job search or application process. Kim suggests that first year students use the CCR to narrow down opportunities they might be interested in on campus, while upper year students can use the CCR's competencies/skills framework to help their career development. Log into the CCR website to explore the different tools available to you and try adding a current experience to your record. If you have any questions at all, feel free to email the CCR office at ccr@utoronto.ca, or drop by their office at 21 Sussex, Room 236.