Article 9: Side Activities That Actually Help You Grow – Clubs, Hackathons, Blogs, Communities

Introduction:

Top students don’t just attend lectures - they explore, build, and connect.

Many miss out on the real-world power of college life: clubs, hackathons, blogging, networking.
These “side activities” are not distractions - they’re the secret sauce of growth.

This article shows you what to participate in, how to find them, and why they matter more than your marksheets.

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🎓 1. Join College Clubs (Even Non-Tech!)

✅ Why:

• You make friends, network, improve communication

• Learn soft skills + organize events

• Sometimes get access to exclusive hackathons and speaker sessions

💡 Good Clubs to Join:

• Coding clubs (DSA, Dev, open source)

• GDSC / ACM / IEEE student chapters

• NSS / Debate / Entrepreneurship Cell

Even cultural or drama clubs boost your confidence + teamwork.

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💡 2. Participate in Hackathons (Start Early!)

✅ Why:

• Real-time team building + deadlines

• Learn how to build + pitch a product

• Build resume-level projects under pressure

🔍 Where to Find:

• Devfolio – devfolio.co

• MLH (Major League Hacking) – mlh.io

• Hack2skill, Unstop, Hackerearth, Techfest websites

• College fests like IITs, NITs, VIT, etc.

🛠 What You Need:

• 2–3 friends (from same/different branches)

• One idea → build simple MVP

• GitHub repo, deployment, 3-slide pitch deck

You’ll learn more in 36 hours of a hackathon than in 3 weeks of tutorials.

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✍️ 3. Write Blogs – It’s Easier Than You Think

✅ Why:

• Improves understanding and communication

• Helps with foreign MS/PhD applications

• Showcases your journey and growth

🛠 Where to Write:

• Hashnode, Dev.to, Medium, personal blog

• Start with:

  “How I Built My First Project”
  “Django vs MERN for Students”
  “My First Hackathon Experience”

You don’t need to be an expert - just write what you’re learning.

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🫂 4. Join Tech Communities

✅ Why:

• Stay updated

• Get peer support + internships

• Collaborate and ask doubts freely

🔍 Where to Start:

• Discord Servers: CodeWithHarry, DevsInTech, MLH, EddieHub

• Telegram Channels: DSA groups, web dev updates

• LinkedIn Groups: GDSC, DevRel India, Student Devs

• GitHub Discussions & Issues

Communities are where real opportunities + referrals start.

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🌟 5. Organize or Volunteer at Events

• Fests, webinars, tech conferences

• Handle PR, speaker outreach, content, logistics

• Builds real-world event management + communication skills

Add it to your resume → “Volunteer – XYZ Hackathon, Outreach Team”

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📘 How to Manage These with Studies

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Final Words:

“College is not just about CGPA. It’s about compound growth.”

Start exploring one activity at a time. These things will shape your confidence, communication, resume, and future.