How an Online Learning Community Can Transform Your Education

Some online students are already deeply engaged as members, officers or even founders of clubs and learning communities. At the same time, others might be asking — does my school even have clubs?

“Students who are learning online may be under the impression that they do not have access to the same kinds of involvement opportunities that exist at the traditional brick and mortar campus, and with so many varying options out there for online learners, we understand,” said Chantel Freeman, an associate director of student involvement, events and communication at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). “Online students here at SNHU, however, have access to so many involvement possibilities, and they can tailor their involvement to their unique preferences.”

The first step, Freeman said, is learning how to get involved.

How to Find Clubs to Join in College

Do some research on the clubs that are available at your college. Your academic advisor can point you toward where to look. At SNHU, for instance, online students can get involved through SNHUconnect, the university’s online portal for clubs and communities.

“We encourage students to engage in the SNHUconnect virtual community, which has so many spaces to learn from peers and build communities meaningful to them,” Freeman said. “Whether that’s in one-on-one interactions, participating in clubs and groups, or connecting with others in honor societies or leadership groups — it’s all happening in SNHUconnect.”

What Kinds of Clubs Do Online Schools Have?

Clubs are often run by students, which means they’re constantly changing and evolving with student populations.

“There are so many virtual clubs, groups and leadership opportunities for online students here at SNHU,” Freeman said. “Our clubs and organizations are student-led and can vary based on the interests of our students each year, but we always have a wide variety of educational and social clubs.”

Here are some examples of groups currently offered at SNHU.

General Groups

Some general groups that students at SNHU can join include:

• Career Networking Community
• Club Hub
• New Student Connections
• Student Lounge

There might also be groups to discuss announcements and other happenings at your school.

Clubs

Just a few of SNHU’s clubs are:

• Book Club
• New Generation of Artists Club
• Coding United
• Psychology Club

Clubs can cover a wide range of topics, including academic subjects, hobbies and more, from the American Sign Language Club to the Paranormal Research Club.

Affinity Groups

Affinity groups are often based around a shared identity or experience. A few affinity groups at SNHU include:

• First Generation Learning Resources Group
• Military Students
• Native Americans Connect
• Women in Technology

Groups like these can offer support, resources and a place to connect with people who have shared experiences.

Honor Societies

If you’re currently a member of an honor society or considering joining one, you might be able to connect with other members at your school.

Some honor societies with communities on SNHUconnect include:

• Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society
• Delta Mu Delta Honor Society
• National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), Sigma Alpha Pi

Learn more about what an honor society like NSLS can offer.

How to Create a Club in College

If you have any idea for a group that doesn’t exist yet, you could also explore the possibility of creating a new club or learning community at your school.

“In addition to joining existing organizations, students also have the opportunity to propose new clubs through our recognition process,” said Lindsey Acampora, a student involvement coordinator at SNHU. “This ensures that SNHUconnect continues to grow and reflects the evolving interests of our student body.”

Who knows? You might end up starting a popular group that affects change in people's lives.

Read about why extracurricular activities are important.

Is Joining a Club or Community Worth It for Online Students?

For many online students, joining a club offers a way to connect beyond your discussion board assignments and make friends.

“Through online clubs, students can explore their interests, develop leadership skills and build confidence,” said Acampora. “Participation also helps students form meaningful connections with peers, relieve stress and foster a sense of belonging.”

Currently earning her bachelor’s in creative writing online at SNHU, Rebecca Cahill is a member of the Creative Writing Club and the Sigma Tau Delta honor society club through SNHUconnect. If you’re looking to get more connected while studying online, she said joining a club could offer you a more interconnected college experience.

“Being part of an online club gives you a community beyond your classes, a space to network and build relationships, and support from peers,” she said. “It really brings elements of a campus experience to online students.”

Experiential Value

In addition to providing connection, student involvement can help your professional development, especially if you opt to join academic or career-centered clubs.

“These clubs often welcome guest speakers from the field, offering students valuable insights, networking opportunities and a firsthand look at how their studies connect to professional practice,” Acampora said. “This combination of academic enrichment, leadership experience and industry exposure helps students build confidence and prepares them for future careers.”

As a writer, Cahill said that the community she's found has been hugely beneficial. “I’ve found that nobody cares as much about my writing as other writers do, and nobody can give feedback that’s as valuable,” she said. “A community of writers also champions each other’s work in a way no one else can.”

Freeman also noted how student involvement can help round out your resumé and provide valuable experiential learning opportunities. “When students are involved in co-curricular activities, they are developing and building many transferable soft skills that they can take with them into the job market,” she said.

Taking on a leadership position within a club can help you grow your skills even further, according to Acampora.

“Students who step into leadership roles within any of our online clubs and student organizations are invited to participate in monthly skill-development workshops, designed to strengthen core competencies such as communication, problem-solving, time management, collaboration and leadership,” she said.

Amanda Saldana '24 earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at SNHU with a minor in sociology and was heavily involved in the Psychology Club. “I was vice president of the Psychology Club, then became president of the Psychology Club,” she said.

She said that the Psychology Club was SNHU's largest club at the time, and as a leader she had a lot of opportunities to work with other groups and host events. "I was able to do many events and collaborations with other clubs in SNHU online," Saldana said.

For other online students, she highly recommends joining a club.

"It allows students to connect with others who share similar interests, build teamwork and leadership skills," she said. 

What Are Online Learning Communities Like?

Cahill said that online learning communities at SNHU don’t require a high level of commitment, so you can participate as often as you’d like.

“Online clubs are such a low-pressure way to participate in student activities and build community — you can be as involved as you want,” she said. “SNHU’s online clubs are accessible to everyone, no matter location, schedule or comfort level with participation.”

She also recommends joining a club to any students who want to get more involved. “I’ve met some of the most wonderful students who are going through the same school experiences I am, and I’ve learned so much from the webinars and events offered as a participant," she said.

She noted that there are many options at SNHU, so you should be able to find at least one that you’re interested in joining. “There are clubs for every interest under the sun, and opportunities to create your own,” Cahill said. “There's truly something for everyone.”

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.