How Joining a Veteran Student Group Can Enhance Your College Experience
Joining a veteran student group is more than just a way to meet people with similar backgrounds—it's a pathway to building new skills, exploring unique academic resources, and getting the most out of your college experience. Below are some surprising, innovative ways these groups can add value to your life as a student veteran.
Discover Tailored Wellness Practices
Many veteran student groups embrace innovative wellness practices to support mental and physical health. Some groups organize unconventional fitness sessions, like guided outdoor hikes, yoga tailored for veterans or meditation classes specifically designed to address the stresses of transitioning to college. Others partner with local health practitioners or fitness coaches who understand the physical demands veterans have faced and can tailor workout plans and recovery practices for individual needs.
Being part of a group that actively supports wellness goals helps build a balanced lifestyle and provides tools for maintaining physical and mental health. These wellness activities foster camaraderie while creating effective routines for handling stress, improving focus, and maintaining a healthy college-life balance.
Join a Peer Mentorship Exchange
A lesser-known benefit of veteran student groups is access to peer mentorship exchanges. Many groups organize mentorship programs where veterans who are further along in their college journey offer insights and advice to newer members. These exchanges can be personalized based on your career interests, academic goals, and unique needs. In addition to being a mentee, you may also have the chance to serve as a mentor, which can be incredibly fulfilling and provide valuable leadership experience.
Some veteran groups even partner with alum veterans who share their post-college experiences and offer advice on getting into specific industries. These connections can open doors and create mentorships that last well beyond graduation.
Experience Culturally-Responsive Study Spaces
Veteran student groups sometimes create unique study environments that are more conducive to veterans' learning styles and habits. Some group spaces are designed with veterans in mind, offering quieter areas for focused study, comfortable and functional seating, and technology veterans might need, such as adaptive tech for those with service-related disabilities.
These spaces often become hubs where veterans can collaborate on projects, access tools they may not find in standard campus areas, and study in a more personalized environment. If your group still needs to get a dedicated study space, this could be a fantastic initiative to propose that would benefit all members.
Participate in Advocacy and Policy Change
Your voice as a student veteran can have a tangible impact on campus policy. Many veteran student groups have been able to initiate policies that improve the academic and social environment for veterans and other nontraditional students. Engaging in these advocacy efforts can be an empowering way to contribute to your college and ensure veterans' perspectives are recognized in campus planning.
This might mean advocating for extended testing time for veterans, improved on-campus healthcare services, or even policy changes around credit for prior learning and military training. Learning to mobilize and advocate for changes can help you develop valuable civic engagement and leadership skills that are highly respected in professional environments.
Explore Veteran-Centric Career and Research Opportunities
In addition to standard job fairs, many veteran student groups have connections with veteran-centered career networks that can connect you to internships, co-ops, and research opportunities in various fields. Some campuses also offer research programs specifically for veterans, where you might study areas like veteran health, policy development, or public service. These unique career and academic opportunities can broaden your resume and build niche expertise that sets you apart.
Consider joining or proposing a group-led project that aligns with your career interests, such as a collaborative research initiative with a faculty mentor or a project with a community-based nonprofit. By pursuing a unique project tied to your veteran background, you can gain hands-on experience and contribute meaningful work to your field.
Enjoy Family-Friendly Social Events
A veteran student group can also provide ways to engage socially with other veterans who may be navigating family life alongside school. Many groups organize family-friendly activities, such as weekend park days, game nights, or even holiday events where you can bring partners and children. This can be a refreshing change if you're used to traditional college events that don't quite match your interests or family structure.
These gatherings allow you to build a support network that includes fellow veterans and their families. It's a chance to create friendships with people who understand the demands of balancing school with family, work, and other adult responsibilities.
Looking for more ways to connect on campus with student veteran resources?