Masters student Ifunanya describes her experience of joining a student society, and how it made a difference to her life at Birmingham.
If you are thinking about how to make friends or spend time with people with similar interests to you while at university, you should consider joining a society. The thought of meeting new people at university can feel exciting but also a little overwhelming, and it is easy to wonder where you fit in. This is exactly how joining a society helped me feel less lonely at uni.
During Welcome Week, I attended the Societies Fair held at the Guild of Students and was genuinely impressed by the number and range of societies there were. Many of them were appealing, but I did not know which I wanted to commit to, so I signed up for several taster sessions throughout the week, including one from the A Cappella Society.
It was nice to try new things and put myself out there, but ultimately, I have always loved singing and consider myself to be somewhat of a music nerd. From the taster session alone, I started to feel a sense of belonging. The committee were so welcoming and friendly, and it was super easy to get along with people because we already had something in common. Conversations flowed naturally, and all I had to do was not try to be anyone other than myself.
I joined the society shortly after, and I now have something to look forward to every week. From rehearsals and socials to gigs and competitions, there is always something going on. It is such a good feeling to have plans in the week that are not just lectures or library sessions. Having that regular meet-up gives me something consistent and positive to focus on. Being in my society allows me to decompress and reminds me that university is not meant to be stressful 24/7, but also to be enjoyed.
So if you are considering joining a society, take this as a sign to give it a go. You might find your new community and even get a cute fleece out of it, which is honestly a bonus. And if singing is not your thing, there are so many different societies offered by The Guild of Students that you can explore. If you have an idea for a society that has not been established, you can even start your own. You might be surprised by how many people share the same interests with you! Everybody deserves to find their community and where they belong.
If you would like to know other ways to meet people, you can read my blog on How I made friends as an international student.
MSc Hydrogeology student at University of Birmingham
