How clubs and societies at Birmingham shaped my uni experience
Discover Josh's experience with UoB’s societies, from Welcome Week fairs to darts, socials and campus sport, where he met friends and got to try new things.
Clubs and societies are undoubtedly one of the biggest parts of university life, no matter where in the UK you study, and the University of Birmingham absolutely excels in this area! The range of opportunities that are offered is impressive, ensuring that there is something available for everyone, no matter what your interests are. This is evident when attending any of the events that are put on in Welcome Week, whether it is the societies fair itself, the sports fair, or the ‘give it a go’ fair. When walking around the plethora of stools set up, it is easy to be slightly overwhelmed, but that’s also a great opportunity to speak to some of the people who are the most involved with the society, and get a taste of what the experience of joining the society would be like.
Personally, I am part of the darts society. I joined in my first year, despite having very little experience of playing darts before going to university, mostly due to one of my friends going along to one of their sports nights and convincing us to join him the following week. This then progressed from attending sports nights on Wednesdays to going along to the socials on a Monday evening. Since then, I have twice been a committee member for the society, once as the treasurer and once as the social media secretary. Furthermore, I have gotten much more interested in actually playing darts, having done so for the last two years.
Two highlights of being in the society for me have been the two varsity matches that I have played in. Getting to play on stage in front of a crowd has been very fun, and managing to win the event as a team this year made it even sweeter. These, alongside the numerous great friends I have met, have massively shaped my university experience, and are memories I will never forget.
Another great advantage I have found to being part of a society is campus league sports. I have been able to play 6-a-side football on a weekly basis with my friends, which has been great given the amount I enjoy football, but on a more relaxed, social level, rather than the serious environment of a BUCS team.
My advice for anyone starting university would be to go to the events in welcome week with an open mind, as, like me, you never know what interests you may pick up while at university.