By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, Staff Writer
Opposites attract, eh? Well, I find that complete bullshit! I believe having shared interests can be so crucial to bonding with people. For some, working at the same workplace and gossiping about the bad conditions pulls them together. This attraction is not necessarily romantic: friendships are frequently formed on the basis of commonalities. The one environment truly conducive to shared interests is the university experience itself.
Think about it, you have over 35,000 students here at SFU. Each of them are put into individual categories related to their majors, minors, and certifications. The requirements needed to complete specific degrees place you in classes with like-minded students. I met some of my closest friends in classes, bonding over the rigours of academic life. One often overlooked opportunity to socialize with other students is the various organizations on campus.
For me, student organizations are where I was able to connect the most with people. Despite being pretty involved in high school, for most of my time at SFU, I was never involved on campus. I always walked past the booths on clubs day, looking around a bit without ever joining anything.
Last June, I took a leap of faith. I joined the SFU Model UN Club, and it’s been one of my best choices at university. I found people who enjoyed similar interests in international relations, politics, and different social issues. Through the club’s various simulations, I was able to work on my public speaking skills and bond with other delegates.
In the fall of 2025, I also decided to get involved with other student organizations, such as the History Student Union (HSU). In my role within the HSU, I planned events, which enabled me to connect not only with my fellow executives but with the student population at large. I have now become co-president of that union, which has been a major achievement for me.
The highlight of this experience of getting involved was representing SFU as a member of the team that won the Outstanding Delegation Award at the 2025 NWMUN conference. Today, I can safely say that my involvement on campus has helped me befriend many people at SFU. The choice to get involved, however, is one not a lot of students take.
According to an Inside Higher Ed survey, nearly a third of students enrolled in a post-secondary institution report zero extracurricular activities. The same report acknowledges that time and financial constraints conceivably influence an individual’s capacity to engage with student life. I find the lack of campus engagement a shame. When I look back at all my experiences, not only did I connect with people that I cannot imagine my life without; these experiences genuinely helped me discover parts of myself I didn’t know existed.
“At university, making friends with common interests blessed me with the ability to connect and progress as a person.”
At university, making friends with common interests blessed me with the ability to connect and progress as a person. So, what are you waiting for? If you can, get involved on campus! Who knows? You might meet people that will bring you closer to the person you want to become.
