Lab Médiatique - A Secret Club

16 juin 2026 | Éducation

A Secret Club

Photo by Noémie Bouchard 22 April 2026

By Mélina Guérin

Publié le 16 juin 2026

New school, no friends to hang out with, can’t connect with my classmates because almost all my classes are with different students. One lunch break, I was sitting at a table with my sister and suddenly a bunch of people joined us and started to talk with her. I was lost and confused about what was happening, so I eavesdropped on their conversation, it sounded like a reunion, a club one.

I was flabbergasted, my sister was in a club and never told me. I soon joined in the conversation and learned that it was the crafting club. I fell in love with the concept and I found fellow students with similar interests to myself, so I joined them. We do projects, and hangout in our free time. I find a purpose at school other than passing my class. This was also how I started to ask myself how it was possible that many clubs existed but that almost no one knew about them. It is unacceptable.

Clubs are important in the lives of students. It gives them a way to expand their social life and a healthy place outside of classes and their home life. It also motivates students to keep going to school when difficult times come.

I asked club members in a conversation how they discovered the existence of the club, if they liked it, if they made new connections and if it impacted them in their life and if they knew other clubs. Their answer surprised me. They told me they stumbled into the club by accident. During a lunch break, there was a kiosk talking about the club, they were interested and joined. Apparently, it was the only day in the school year that awareness of clubs was made. They love going to club activities when they have the time because it is fun, it gives them a sense of accomplishment when a project is finished. This is where they also make new friends. But what surprised me the most was to learn that the club helps them to stay at school, that they almost dropped out of college but the club with its members, added to the sense of belonging somewhere, helped them stay in college and continue the year. They know other clubs exist, but they can’t tell what they are or how to get in them.

In a study highlighted by Melissa Ezarik, dropouts are higher in students not involved in extracurricular activities.

I personally used to be in a club in high school, and I vividly remember the skills I learned in it. I have almost no bad memories related to that time. I made friends and it was refreshing compared to the years when I wasn’t in a club.

I tried to find information on the school webpage, and on posters where clubs could be mentioned. The only things I found were extra activities related to sports and improvisation where inscriptions are limited. I couldn’t find a regular club and wondered why clubs were not more advertised since they make such a big difference in students’ lives. In a conversation with my club members, the organizer said it is possible to go into classrooms and promote the clubs more, but the problem is to hook students and to make it work with schedules.

It would be good to offer posters or information on the school’s webpage showing the clubs availability. This way, it would be more accessible for willing students to join a club.

It's a small step, but it could make a giant one in the life of students.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

December 10, 2024, by Melissa Ezarik: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/college-experience/2024/12/10/could-campus-activity-involvement-keep-students

April 20, 2024, by Theo Grayer: https://www.mindsum.org/resources/blogs/joining-forces-for-health-the-transformative-impact-of-clubs-on-well-being

July 29,2024, by staff and member community:

https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/insights/why-should-you-join-club-campus