Community

Your learning opportunities will not come exclusively from your instructors, of course. From day one, you will also learn from your peers and other smart, experienced, intellectually curious social workers like yourself, so establishing relationships with your peers is paramount to your success.  Over time, you will learn to look to your peers for support when you doubt yourself, to get a fresh perspective on courses, navigate the program, and find a sense of community. However, don’t assume this will happen automatically. Like you, your peers and instructors also lead busy lives, and their way of showing up for you or offering support may be different from what you are used to. Connecting with others takes both effort and intentionality. If you struggle to build rapport with someone, it can lead to the temptation to blame it on individual or cultural differences and give up. Instead, try to understand their interests and priorities, look for common ground or shared interests, and consider how your individual differences can become strengths in your relationship.

The University of Kentucky has a very large number of active student organizations, and many that are relevant to Political Science and Law and Justice students. Some examples include Model United Nations, Mock Trial, Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Undergraduate Honor Society, and more. Getting involved in one or more of these organizations is a great way to further explore your interests and engage with fellow students.

Students can search through a full list of current organizations using BBNvolved.

Note:  The original text has been adapted and edited for content and tone to better suit the intended audience.