The Hidden Impact of Your Campus Circles

(With Gareth Kondiri)

Student Representative Council (SRC) for Community Development and Gender Affairs , Gareth Kondiri. Kondiri shared a few impacts which may go unnoticed by students when introduced to campus circles. 

Here is a short Q/A between Campus Connect and Kondiri:

How do campus groups influence students’ behaviour, identity, and choices?

Well often students come find community through campus groups, sometimes they find themselves, due to it being hidden so long, so I would say that the behavior becomes more happier

What positive and negative effects can campus groups have on students’ well-being?

Positive would be community and common interest. Negative would be that the groups could cause distraction from what they came to campus for.

How can students tell if a campus group is supportive or harmful?

You can tell if they are enough and push you towards academic success, but also when all they require from you is you being you and not someone different, when they accept you for who you are but also guide you and help you become a better person and student.

How do gender dynamics show up within campus groups and organisations?

From experience, gender dynamics don’t really show up much, unless it’s the traditional or religious groups, but often they are just a group and no gender dynamics are places or seen 

What advice would you give students who feel pressured to fit in or change themselves to belong?

I would say, don’t fit in when you are made to stand out, and also people won’t like you when you try and fit in or pretend, because you are not being you, and they would see that, just be the unique person you are, and you will find the unique people who would love and like you for you.

You can find Gareth Kondiri on Instagram @tjivee_kondiri