Hello, new Tigers, and welcome to Clemson! Congratulations on beginning your college journey — I am confident you’ll have a great time at Clemson. When I began my time at Clemson three years ago, I was in the same place as you — excited, kind of terrified and more than a little overwhelmed.

The best advice I can give you to maximize your enjoyment of this new time in your life is to join student organizations. You’ll get the most out of your time at Clemson if you’re willing to seek out a club or organization that appeals to you. I know that’s cliché advice, but I promise there’s a Clemson organization aligned with one of your interests.

As The Tiger’s TimeOut editor, I’ve written, read and edited plenty of articles about student clubs and organizations of every type. There are hundreds on Clemson’s campus, ranging from intramural athletic leagues with hundreds of participants to tight-knit communities that organize students with shared interests or cultural backgrounds. I think The Tiger is a great option, but I might be biased.

I joined The Tiger during the first semester of my freshman year, and it’s been one of the most essential parts of my college experience. I’ve edited the TimeOut section since 2024, curating reports on on-campus arts and culture alongside student perspectives on movies, music, books and more.

I hope that TimeOut, which appears on pages seven and eight of standard issues of The Tiger, will entertain and inform you throughout your years at Clemson. TimeOut, and The Tiger as a whole, are always looking for new writers, so if you’re passionate about arts and entertainment, we’d love to have you.

If The Tiger isn’t your thing but you want to learn more about the different student organizations on campus, the best place to do so is Tiger Prowl, the club fair held just before the beginning of each semester. Best of luck in your college journeys, and go Tigers!

Thomas Merzlak is a senior world cinema major from Florence, South Carolina. Thomas can be reached at [email protected].