This past semester, MathSoc have worked closely with the School of Maths focusing particularly on helping new students to adapt to university life. We've also worked hard to support all maths students through these strange times with a virtual socials, charity and careers events.
Our Family Scheme, which has been successful for many years, had to run a little differently with most events happening via Zoom due to COVID restrictions. We aided the School by leading socially distanced campus tours and a big Welcome Virtual Quiz in the first week of term. Throughout the rest of semester, our ‘parents’ (returning students in years 2, 3, 4) met regularly online with the first year students in their families to help them settle in and meet people on their course. Despite being different and virtual, this seems to have been a real success.
For part of the semester we were able to get our sports teams back competing. Football and netball saw new and old faces join the teams and we started out strong, playing well and winning a fair few matches. When our competitive sports had to be stopped due to restrictions, we created the aim to run the equivalent distance to Budapest (where we hope to have a trip to later in the year!) as a society in aid of our charity of the year, Birmingham Children’s Hospital. This too us about a month and involved many members of MathSoc running independently and collating the distances on Strava to reach our goal. Also for our charity, we held ‘The Great MathSoc Bake Off’ in collaboration with the School where we received many creative maths-themed baked entries. The grand final was held on Zoom where the finalists had to present their creations to a panel of students and staff – if only we could have tasted the creations! We’re really pleased with our fundraising success despite the limitations on events we can hold, and look forward to raising even more money throughout Fundraising February in the new year!
Other social activities have been a Virtual Games Night, and Halloween and Christmas themed virtual bingo, all of which were well attended and lots of fun. The bingo nights incorporated fancy dress, silly challenges, many rounds of bingo and plenty of prizes to be won.
Away from socials, we also held a virtual careers event. Five different companies from a range of sectors attended, including some alumni, and each giving a short presentation followed by a Q&A with attendees. Alongside this, we’ve launched a LinkedIn page and are making a real effort to be active and give our members inspiration and guidance surrounding their careers. Make sure you follow us!
This term has certainly been unusual but despite restrictions we’ve been able to put on a good range of events. Thank you so much to everyone that has been involved and supported us so far this year!
Kate Huxtable
MathSoc Secretary
To find out more about the Maths student society visit their website www.birmingham.ac.uk/eps/mathsoc.
There are 42 student groups in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. To learn more about their projects and activities head to www.birmingham.ac.uk/eps-societies.