Research On The Influence Of College Student Associations On College Students' Personal Growth

It's a common phenomenon in colleges and universities that students participate in student societies,and it's also a hot issue in the field of educational theory and practice.To understand the influence of student societies on the individual growth,this paper analyzes the situation of students who are members of student societies in N university,with qualitative research methods.Therefore,the author interviewed 30 students who acceded to student societies in N university to analyze the reasons for their participation,experiences and changes and to explore the factors that affected their personal growth.Through the research,I found that most students are interested in participating in societies,but student societies are also equivalent to a filter.For members who do not really love the societies,their enthusiasm will fade gradually and they would not be active in society's activities.However,those members sharing common interests will gather together and find some common ground.When students with common interests have involved in a society,they are gradually forming a community which is named“community of society”.In the “community of society”,members feel a strong sense of belonging,and they are willing to show more activities,and pay more efforts to achieve objectives of student organizations,which are further enhancing the cohesion of the “community of society”,facilitating the two sides' good interaction.In this“community of society”,college students achieve individual growth mainly in the self-confidence,interpersonal maturity,self-planning and the sense of responsibility by organizing and participating in activities of their own interests,as well as interacting and learning with the others sharing the same interests.The author believes that college students should choose organizations based on their own interests(not other utilitarian or conformity purposes)for maintaining an active participation in the organization,gaining social interactions,having sense of community belonging and promoting personal growth.