Although freshman year may be a faded memory for some students, or better left unrecalled for others, take a moment and try to remember back to how pressure-filled the year may have, or could have been.

Freshmen have to get acclimated to a new school. They have to get accustomed to not being in school all day, and thus re-organize their schedules. In addition, they have to get used to more difficult academic work.

Freshmen are usually the last to sign up for classes. Freshmen who opt to live in the dorms have to adjust to living away from home, some for the first time, as well as making new friends and trying to feel part of the FSC community.

The last thing some freshmen think about is how they can get involved and voice their opinions.

But there are numerous benefits to getting involved. It is an opportunity to make new friends, share experiences and possibly lessen the hassles of freshman year. In addition, there are many groups on campus to participate in and many activities to get involved in, such as trips to New York or Boston, social awareness activities and musical performances.

Freshmen have no reason not to get involved with school activities.

However clubs and organizations shouldn't just wait for freshmen to come to them; they should make it part of their goal to reach out to current and incoming freshmen.

Many clubs on campus do reach out to freshmen, for example, by sending them pamphlets over the summer.

One FSC, a standing committee on SGA, is also doing what it can to reach out to freshmen. Elijah McNeil, chairman of One FSC, said he wants to diversify the student government, get students involved in the decision-making process and reach out to freshmen. Additionally, he said he wants to start a summer freshmen outreach program.

All clubs and organizations should make an effort to reach out to freshmen as well, such as starting a summer outreach program, or coming up with other unique ideas, because only positive things can come out of extending a hand to freshmen. For example, the club is strengthened and diversified and freshmen may feel more part of their community.

For the remaining semester and over the summer, this is your chance, clubs, organizations and upperclassmen, to recruit as many current as well as incoming freshmen, encourage them to become active members of their community, meet new friends, share their opinions and let them know their voices count as well.