Societies are also a great way for you to participate in causes that really matter to you. Lilia Smith, a third year student at University College London, joined vegetarian society.
She says: "It's worth joining an unusual society if it's about issues that you are actually interested in. I met some interesting people and found out things to do with vegetarianism that I wouldn't have known otherwise. You can always drop out if you don't like it. Alanna Sargent, a second year student at King's College London, regrets dismissing her university's Sexpression Society, "which I thought was kind of wacky at freshers' fair. It's actually a really awesome sex ed volunteering society for medical students!
Most universities have a range of volunteering opportunities. Georgie, a third year student at University College London, began working as a mentor for Debate Mate, an educational charity which aims to empower young people by teaching them debating skills. She says: "Debate Mate was a really worthwhile thing to do, I felt like I was making a difference and had the opportunity to participate in an activity outside of UCL.
A natural sciences student at UCL joined Disability in Camden, a volunteering organisation with the aim of helping the disabled. She joined "to provide company and help the less fortunate" and found the experience very rewarding.
A common interest means having common ground already, which can help to spark some great conversation starters and even see you making friends for life.
After all, every society needs a leader and it could be you! Most importantly, joining a society should be about enjoying yourself. For more advice on student living, click here.
Societies: What are they and why should I join one? Even if you get top marks in your degree, employers like to know that you also had a life at university. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later?
Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Already subscribed? Log in. If this is something that you are considering joining when you get to university, take my virtual hand and let me guide you through the minefield that the world of societies can be. It can be daunting to decide which club or society to join when you first get to university. The options are endless but unfortunately your time is not.
So first take a moment to think about what it is that you want to get out of your society. Do you want to join a sports team to continue playing a sport you already love, or is it time to start playing the sport you always wanted to? Are there any hobbies that you have been interested in picking up, but have never found the time? Or are you just looking to meet more people that have similar interests to you?
Or you could use this opportunity to try something completely different, something that you would never usually have the opportunity to do. Once you've decided on this, it is then worth looking through the list of clubs or societies that your university offers you can usually find this on the university website or when you first arrive at university and having a couple that you want to know more about.
Then most societies will offer a taste session so you can join in and try it out, without the commitment and then continue if you end up loving the club that you have chosen. Quite often you may have to pay a membership or annual fee to join.
As a member of a society executive committee, I can tell you that this goes towards funding events and equipment for the society.
At this point, consider how willing you are to commit to the society.
0コメント