A Balancing Act

One of the most difficult things for a college student is finding a proper balance between studying for class and having fun. Do not get me wrong--classes are important, but if a student does not put aside enough time to relax the stress can catch up with them and can make the college experience a nightmare. At Michigan State University, there are several opportunities for students to discover organizations. The groups vary to encompass just about everyone’s interests. These organizations are great ways to build a network of friends, especially for someone like myself, an out of state student with not a single friend or family member that resides in the state of Michigan.

When I am not busy studying, I choose to spend my free time on the Quidditch pitch. Yes, it is a variation of the fictional sport from Harry Potter, but it is pure fun! I have always been a huge Harry Potter fan, and ever since I heard about Quidditch I wanted to try it, so when I arrived on campus my freshman year I found the club’s table and signed up. The club has two entities: a travel team and a smaller intramural league that is separate from the university’s intramural league. The travel team goes throughout the Midwest to compete in tournaments against other university teams.

Fortunately, I have been able to make the travel team all three years that I have been here and have become great friends with my teammates. The amount of fun I have travelling with these people is great, I look forward to it every weekend we have a tournament. Over the years, my role within the club has grown, and I am now part of the coaching staff. My duties on the coaching staff entail introducing the sport to new recruits, while also aiding the team to perform well at tournaments through the regulation of substitutes and ensuring everyone has their gear. Since coming to college this is by far my favorite thing to do. I enjoy it so much that during the breaks of winter and summer I go through minor withdrawals. Being a part of a club like this helps me relieve stress caused by my classes, while also allowing me to relax with friends and enjoy my Michigan State University experience.

Brandon
Junior
CCP

Quidditch at MSU!

     One of my favorite organizations that I am in is the Michigan State University Spartan Quidditch club. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “From Harry Potter?” “Do you use brooms?” “Do you really fly?” and “That’s for nerds.” To answer your questions and to agree with your statement: Yes. Yes. Have you heard of brooms that can actually fly? I think not. And yes I am somewhat of a nerd, but don’t we all have a little bit of nerdiness within ourselves? Let me tell you a little bit more about the club. It is a full contact co-ed sport, with three different types of balls, a quaffle, three bludgers, and a snitch. The club itself has two entities; the first one is the club itself, where people get together, hangout and bond. The second part is the travel team. The travel team goes to tournaments all across the Midwest and the nation. By doing this I have gotten the opportunity to have great bonding experiences with my teammates and meet great people that attend other universities across the nation.

      

MSU Quidditch Team

      This club takes up a good amount of my free time, but that is only because I love it so much, and I allow it to. This club has helped me establish a lot of close friends; I never knew I was capable of having. Since I am from Memphis, Tennessee I did not know a single person at Michigan State, let alone, in the state of Michigan, aside from some friend’s grandmas that I had never met. Because of this, my first week of school was a little rough. But luckily I got involved with this club. The members of this club have become what I call my, “Michigan State Family.” I call them that because we have been through thick and thin, and I know they will always be there for me when I need them. So, if you’re an out of state student, or even in state, worried about making friends when you get here, my advice to you is to be active and get involved, because it is really easy to a Michigan State Family of your own.

Brandon

Sophomore

CCP & Film Studies