Make university count: why you should join a society

Upon joining the university, most students attend freshers fair in the first week of term. Whilst at the fair, you will be exposed to a variety of societies the university has to offer. The university currently has over 300 societies, with there being societies for everything, even a Taylor Swift society. So, during your time in university, it is best to make the most of the societies.

Making new friends

When you first join university, the prospect of making new friends can be daunting. However, by attending societies the transition to university becomes a lot easier, as you can meet people with similar interests and make friends. From my own experience as a commuter student, I have found that societies are the best way to make friends, outside of meeting people who are on your course. In my first year, I attended a variety of societies, such as Sikh Society, Punjabi Society or Accounting and Finance Society. It is through these societies that I have made friends, who have been beside me for my whole time at university.

Maximising your university experience

Joining societies can also open doors for you to partake in enriching experiences. Whether through being on a committee or attending social events, most societies will have new and exciting events for you to try. Based on my own experience of being on the Sikh Society’s committee, I was able to learn a lot about what it takes to run events, with one of the events I oversaw catering for around 1000 people. Attending the Sikh Society also provided me with a social to attend every Wednesday; this gave me a good chance to unwind and mingle with a variety of people every week.

Going beyond your degree curriculum

Alongside cultural and interest-based societies, there are also societies for your degree subject too. For me personally, I also attend the Accounting and Finance Society: here, I get to socialise with my course-mates outside of a degree setting. Additionally, the society also arrange career talks from experts from many different accounting or financial careers paths. This gives students a better insight into the opportunities and jobs available to them after university, as well as helping them to make more informed career choices. It also provides a good opportunity to network with older students, who can help to advise you on module choices or general university advice.

After joining the university, I strongly recommend attending these societies and enjoying the opportunities the university has to offer.