5 Tips to Help You Navigate Campus Groups
August 24, 2026
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by Emma Comparato
There’s a whole calendar of free events on this campus, hiding in plain sight — you just need the right app to see it. That’s where Campus Groups comes in. It’s an app that gives every student, faculty, and staff member at USM access to everything happening on campus. It’s a great way to meet new people, do more of what you love, or even try something new. I’ve made it my goal never to be bored on campus, and this is the perfect place to start.
1.
Setting up your profile
This setup takes about 30 seconds. It’s an easy place to start—just enter who you are and what interests you most. For me, it was outdoor activities, arts and crafts, and business events to tie into my major. The algorithm recommends events it thinks I’ll like. I loved being able to pick those specific interests and see events tailored just to me.
2.
Tags & filters — instead of scrolling endlessly
Let’s say you open the app to see what campus events are going on this month. It might be overwhelming at first to see everything all at once. That’s where tags come in—you can filter events by tags like off-campus, Portland, Gorham, Community Hour, health and wellness, or athletics. This also helps you find events near you, depending on what campus you’re on or where your classes are.
3.
Follow your favorite groups
Following groups that pique your interest, even if only slightly, is an important way to stay connected and updated—you never know what might pop up. This could be on the Campus Groups app or on Instagram. Clubs and organizations will most likely post an event ahead of time to give people a chance to sign up. For example, the Outdoor Activities Board has a highly sought-after event, hot yoga, that fills up quickly. This is the kind of event I have my post notifications on for. (Yes, it’s that serious.)
4.
Know before you go
Campus Groups offers event details like location, time, and RSVP (if needed). I mentioned before that some events fill up, but they’ll sometimes offer waitlists. It’s important to know what to expect before showing up. All the information you need is available at a quick glance.
5.
Hosting an event!
If you’re thinking, “Yeah, this is cool, but what if I want to host an event of my own?”
Campus Groups isn’t just for finding things to do — it’s also where you can promote your own event. If you’re looking to start a club, you’ll need approval from the school, a constitution, a leadership board, and a set of guidelines. Once that’s in place, you’re free to create and schedule events.
Whether you’re looking to find your place on campus or build community, Campus Groups is the place to start. This semester, keep an eye out for events happening during Community Hour: a stretch of time Monday through Thursday, 12:30 to 1:30, set aside so students can connect without class getting in the way.
I have no doubt Campus Groups will help you find your community in no time!
