Finding a Sense of Belonging at University
Becoming involved in a faith-based student club can offer students a wide range of benefits, and it has allowed me to create a sense of belonging while at university. Before starting my journey at Western, I knew that I wanted to connect with other students to build that community around myself. Some students have found this community through the wide range of student clubs that Western has to offer. I found my community through the Christian student club called ‘Campus Bible Ministries’ or ‘CBM’.
My Journey to Joining CBM
My story of how I became involved in CBM started my very first day as I walked onto campus, I saw a stall with a few students around it and a sign advertising that they were the Christian group on campus. As I was running late for my first class, I did not have the time to stop and sign up. Instead, after my class had finished, I came back but the students at the stall had gone by then. Thankfully, the sign was still there, and it had a QR code that I could scan and was able to sign up to the club via WESTERNLife. I look back now, and I ask myself the question, “If the students were still there, would have I been confident enough to go talk to them?” Honestly, I do not think I would have, but I am thankful that I scanned that QR code to become connected to CBM. I have made life-long friends who have supported me throughout my time at university, and I know that I have been able to be there for them as well. As students, we are in a unique situation where we can understand what it is like during the semester when all those assignments are due and studying for exams. This offers an opportunity to be there for each other, which creates deep connections and a sense of belonging to a community.
The Events and Activities at CBM
CBM’s main events are weekly bible studies, social gatherings that involve food, and an activity to help reduce the stress of university life. Along with two conferences – first is the mid-year conference, where all CBM clubs on different Western campuses gather for a week to build friendships, have fun and learn more about the Christian faith. The second conference at the end of the year is nationwide, with around 3000 students from all over Australia who come together to grow, be trained, and to become equipped in the Christian faith. While all these events are fun to attend, my favourite event that CBM offers is the weekly bible studies. Where a group of three to four students will read and discuss a section of the bible, and then the students have an opportunity to apply what it says to their lives. I remember that it was at a bible study that I gained complete assurance that when I die, I will be going to heaven. This is because of my faith in Jesus, that he died for me on a cross some 2000 years ago, and it is not because of anything that I have done or can do throughout my lifetime. This is in the bible verse John 3:16, I would encourage you to look it up for yourself. I have to say that having this assurance has provided so much freedom in my life- it is the best thing ever.
Why Should You Join a Student Club?
(Elderly Man Holding Hands with His Daughter. Picture Credit: Kindel Media, 2021, Pexels)
If you are reading this and are considering joining a student club, whether it is CBM or another club, I would 100 per cent recommend it. My university experience has been enriched 10-fold. I have seen how I have grown personally – especially in having the confidence to walk up to people and say hello. I have seen my Christian faith grow as I have been challenged in the way that I think, act and view this world. Along with developing lifelong friends, I will be able to say that we supported each other throughout our university days, and the only reason we have our degrees is because of each other. The best way to explore all the student clubs at WSU is to go to the WESTERNLife website and spend some time scrolling through the clubs and the events that they are running. Also, attending Welcome Week which has events all week from Monday the 24th of February. You can visit student club stalls at Parramatta South campus on the 25th and 26th of February. You will also be able to experience the other enriching services that Western has to offer.
