How To Break Up With A Club or Organization

It’s not you – it’s me. Some of us have heard it and some of us may have used it to end a relationship. But how many of us have used it on a club? What happens when you’ve signed up for 6 organizations and your college schedule will only permit 4? You’re gonna have to have ‘the talk’ with a few of them. For many of us breaking up with an organization can be just as stressful as breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend. But unless you want to start failing your classes as you struggle to find time to study, you’re going to have to break it off with some clubs. Here are my suggestions to both build up the courage to do the deed and how you can let the club down easy:

1. Realize You Need Your Space

There are only 24 hours in a day and about a quarter of that is spent sleeping, leaving precious few hours to get things done. When you come to college everyone must find a balance between studying for classes, having a social life, being in organizations, etc. It may take a while but eventually you’ll realize if your schedule is too tight and needs some breathing room. That’s your signal to cut a few clubs.

2. Acknowledge Clubs Are People Too (sort of)

Clubs are just groups of your peers, almost always completely filled with current college kids. They are having to make the exact same schedule decisions as you are and will understand your need for more free time. Clubs are not institutions filled with unsympathetic people, they are people like you.

3. Getting In Does Not Mean You Owe Them

Many clubs require interviews and applications to get in. Just because you manage to beat other people out and earn a spot in the club does not mean you have to stay in the club. It’s sort of like survivor’s guilt. You have just as much a right to drop a club you fought to get in as a club that lets anyone in.

4. If You Don’t Like It, Don’t Tell Them That

Everyone you meet in college is a future possible connection. So stating one of your reasons for leaving is because the club isn’t what you expected, and therefore don’t enjoy, isn’t a good plan. Just say that you don’t have enough time, you’re schedule is super hard, etc.

5. Be Courteous, Nice, And Respectful When Breaking Up

This group allowed you into their folds and gave you a chance to be one of them. That does not mean you should feel guilty for leaving, but you should be respectful. Be respectful and give them a reason for you’re leaving; be nice pretty much.

6. Do Not Ask For Your Money Back

If you’ve paid dues to be in a group and you’re now having to drop the group – too bad. If they offer to give you your money back then fantastic! Go get some celebratory ice cream. But don’t beg for your money back. You’re the one leaving them. They don’t really owe you a refund.

7. Just Get It Over With

There’s no reason to put off breaking up with a club. If your schedule can’t allow that activity then cut it out as soon as you feel your time is getting squeezed. Your grades will falter, your social life may suffer; it’s just not worth it.

8. You Can Still Be Friends

There’s always next semester. If you’re having to break up with a club this semester that does not mean you can’t still be friends. You can try to get in that organization next semester when your schedule is different. Always keep that in mind.

There you have it! I hope all of these points have helped you in the awkward process of breaking up with your clubs. Just remember, always have a box of tissues on hand. Clubs can get emotional.