You’re sitting in a high school gym or a community center, sweating through a jersey or finishing a debate round, and it hits you. This is it. This is the thing you don't want to leave behind. You start thinking, i intend to participate in a similar activity in college, but then reality sinks in. College isn't high school. It’s bigger, faster, and way more expensive. How do you actually find that same spark when you’re a tiny fish in a massive pond?
It's a weird transition.
Most students think that if they played varsity soccer, they have to play NCAA Division I or nothing at all. That's a mistake. Honestly, it's the fastest way to burn out before you even unpack your dorm fridge. The "similar activity" you're looking for might not look exactly like what you're doing now, and that’s actually a good thing.
The Myth of the Identical Experience
People get hung up on the "similar" part. If you were the lead in the high school musical, you might think your only path is the mainstage theater department. But at a place like the University of Michigan or NYU, those spots are hyper-competitive.
If you say i intend to participate in a similar activity in college, you need to define what "similar" means to you. Is it the stage time? The community? The creative outlet? Often, a student-run improv troupe or a shadowcast organization provides more of what you actually loved than a rigorous, pre-professional program would.
I’ve seen students who were champion swimmers in high school find their "similar activity" in a water polo club. It kept them in the pool, but the vibe changed. It became about the Saturday morning tournaments and the post-game pizza rather than the grueling 4:00 AM intervals. You have to be okay with the evolution of the hobby.
Club vs. Intramural vs. Varsity
Let’s get tactical for a second because the terminology matters.
Varsity is a job. It’s 20+ hours a week. It’s scholarships (sometimes) and mandatory study halls. If that's your goal, you’re already talking to coaches. But for the rest of us? The gold mine is in Club Sports and Intramurals.
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Club sports are student-run but competitive. You travel. You play other schools. You have tryouts. Intramurals, on the other hand, are just for fun. It’s you and your floor-mates playing flag football at 9:00 PM on a Tuesday. If your mindset is i intend to participate in a similar activity in college, start by looking at the "Involvement Fair" or "OrgSync" portal your school definitely uses.
Finding Your Tribe in Massive Universities
Large state schools can feel like cities. It’s easy to get lost.
If you were in DECA or Model UN, the college equivalent is going to be way more intense. These organizations often have their own budgets, offices, and even travel stipends. At schools like Georgetown or Harvard, the International Relations clubs are basically mini-corporations.
But here is the catch.
The barrier to entry is higher. You might have been the president of your high school club, but so was everyone else in the room. Don't let that bruise your ego. When you tell an admissions officer or a club president that i intend to participate in a similar activity in college, they aren't just looking for your past trophies. They’re looking for your willingness to start at the bottom again.
The Niche Pivot
Sometimes the activity doesn't exist. Or maybe it’s just... different.
Take "eSports." Maybe you played League of Legends in your bedroom and want that team feel. Many colleges now have dedicated gaming lounges and varsity-level gaming teams. If your school doesn't, that's your cue to start it. Starting a club is actually one of the best ways to "participate" because it shows a level of leadership that simply joining doesn't.
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Why This Matters for Your Career (Seriously)
This isn't just about killing time between midterms.
Employers don't really care that you played intramural kickball. They do care if you managed the budget for the club kickball league. They care if you coordinated travel for 40 people to a tournament in another state. When you say i intend to participate in a similar activity in college, you are essentially choosing your secondary education.
According to data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), "soft skills" like teamwork and communication are consistently ranked higher by recruiters than GPA alone. The "activity" is where you learn how to deal with the person who doesn't show up to meetings or the treasurer who lost the receipts.
It’s real-world practice.
Managing the Time Suck
College is a balancing act. You have more free time than ever before, yet somehow, you have no time at all.
You'll hear people talk about the "Rule of Three."
- Academics.
- Social life.
- Sleep.
Pick two.
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That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much. If you intend to participate in a similar activity in college, you have to be disciplined. Set boundaries. If the club meets every night and your grades are slipping, the activity isn't "similar" to your high school experience anymore—it’s a distraction.
I remember a student who joined the outdoors club. In high school, he hiked on weekends. In college, the club took three-day trips into the wilderness. He loved it, but he failed Chemistry. The activity was the same, but the scale was different. He had to learn to say no to the big trips to protect his degree.
The Mental Health Component
Let's talk about the "why."
High school is a pressure cooker. College is a different kind of pressure—the pressure of being alone. Participating in an activity provides an instant social scaffold. You don't have to "find" friends; they are just there, standing next to you on the field or sitting across from you at the debate table.
If you are struggling with the transition, getting back into that familiar groove is the best medicine. It grounds you. It makes a 40,000-person campus feel like a 40-person community.
Actionable Steps to Transition Your Activity
Stop saying you’re going to do it and actually do it.
- Audit the Student Org Directory: Every university has a digital database. Search keywords from your high school life. Don't just look for exact matches; look for "adjacent" groups.
- Email the President: Don't wait for the fair. Most club presidents are desperate for organized, enthusiastic new members. A quick "Hey, I did this for four years in high school and i intend to participate in a similar activity in college, when are tryouts?" goes a long way.
- Check the Budget: If you're looking at a club, ask about dues. Some clubs are free; some cost $500 a semester for travel and gear. Know what you're signing up for financially.
- Visit a Practice/Meeting: Don't commit on day one. Go, sit in the back, and watch the vibe. If it’s too intense—or not intense enough—keep looking.
College is the only time in your life when you will have thousands of people your age, all living in the same square mile, looking for something to do. Whether it's sports, arts, or some weird niche hobby like competitive wood chopping, the opportunity is there. You just have to be willing to adapt the "similar" part of your plan to fit the new reality of your life.
Go find your people.
Your Next Steps:
First, log into your university’s student portal and find the list of registered student organizations (RSOs). Filter by category and pick three that overlap with your previous interests. Reach out to the listed contact person for each to ask about their next informational meeting or open practice session. This takes the pressure off "joining" and shifts the focus to "exploring" before your schedule gets too packed with coursework.