Many people have different definitions for social capital, many people have been taught the definition of social capital in various ways. The definition I learned was “the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively.” An example of social capital would be when someone opens a door for someone else. It could be as simple as that to any other beneficial interaction between people even if they do not know one another. That makes a community happier and also builds signs of trust within a community. It helps people work together and access benefits from building relationships, for example it could help you to find a better job.
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The ways at Wheaton that social capital could be shown is to cultivate trust, capitalize on relationship building moments, encourage other students around you to support one another with classes or maybe give them positive words before an exam. Another way is to engage other students in extracellular opportunities which could be an outdoors club, Jewish club, sports club, Wheaton women and stem, and many more. Last way is to show people that social media can be a positive resource to connect people by using the Wheaton Instagram page or other social media as well. They have started adding new clubs and activities around Wheaton to do because the students suggest them and the college makes it happen if there is enough people interested in whatever the students or staff want to do.
For me personally, I participated in Intermural sports at Wheaton such as Basketball and Flag Football. I had a blast doing it, they were 2 times a week for almost a month and a half each. I believe for some people if gave them the opportunity to make friends around the Wheaton community as well as having fun. Both of the sports had over 10 teams who were all Wheaton students playing on different teams competing. Then at the end of the year the few top teams made playoffs and played against one another for the championship, where you received at shirt that champions if you won. My experience was very fun, my friends and I had a team which we did very well both sports making the playoffs both times. One high moment for me was when we were down late in the first playoff basketball game and made a comeback and ended up winning the game. The connections I made was just getting closer with my friends that were on my team and facing the other teams I made good friendships with some of them as well. If I had a choice I would 100% do it again.
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Social Capital is important as we think, anywhere you go in life you would want a strong bond with your community to make sure the society is functioning effectively and also within your community as I mentioned it can also help with getting better jobs and building strong connections with others and get you to try out activities or clubs you have never thought about trying. At Wheaton social capital could also bring down stress that you may have because of homework, papers, essays. You’ll have that support behind you ensuring you that you can do whatever is the obstacle you are stressing or worrying about. I think social capital is highly effective in communities because when you have a strong and happy community that is when everything seems to be going great and everybody having a great time all together. I also see it most of the time being effective at schools because they always have clubs, extra circular activities and events to have the students, and the staff get to know each other more and connect better to make that school community tighter.
Journalism 2.0 