It is a complaint students make every day:

“We never do anything at school. All I did today was sit around and listen to an old guy lecture for an hour about something I don’t really care about.”

Students who feel this way know they are being about as honest as Roger Clemens in court. School feels dull and seems like a waste of time because students make it that way. Students who do not put effort or time into their school community should not expect to get anything in return. But, how do students get more out of school? How can they leave the dullness behind?

Clubs. Seventy-four of them to be exact. Students operate and organize every one of these clubs. From Model UN to Mock Trial to Interact to Key Club, students on campus always have a way to make school more than just tests and homework.

“Clubs are really effective ways to get to know people,” said junior Olivia Santiago, ASB Clubs Comissioner. “It’s hard to branch out to different groups, and clubs provide people with a common interest.”

Clubs also give students the opportunity to learn something new or spark an interest in a new hobby.

“Mock Trial allows me to experience what it’s like to be part of a trial in an actual courtroom,” said sophomore Christina Luk, Mock Trial Public Relations Officer. “I learn everything about the basics of the courtroom, law, debating and building a case.”

Most importantly, many clubs on campus offer students the chance to give back to those who need it most and help the community.

However, despite all these opportunities, some students are turned away from club life because of misconceptions about the people involved and the time required to be a part of one. Some students feel clubs are for overachievers looking for a way to improve their standing with college admission officers by vamping up their college resumes with community service projects and club titles.

“I know at least five kids who are members of clubs and they aren’t that passionate about them. They just feel forced to do it,” sophomore Zoe Gelman said.

These prejudices are untrue. Students who join clubs all have their reasons for doing so. Whether it is to meet new people, learn something new, or to just give back to the community they grew up in, there is a club for everyone. Students’ decisions should be made without influence from a few ignorant peers.

Clubs are a great opportunity for students to do something new at school and may give them something to feel proud of and excited for every week. For the people who still feel clubs are just for students trying to make their resumes look good, since when did the Bay Area Sports Fan Club and Movie Fan Club make a lasting impression on any college official? Get over the common misconceptions and get involved. Maybe club life will be able to give school the zip and energy students desire.