A Guide to Societies and Clubs at University
Read on to find out the different types of clubs and societies you can be a part of and the positive benefits of including them in your hectic student life.
It is part of the university experience to join a club or society. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, learn a new skill or find a new talent you didn’t know you had. Joining a society or club can be overwhelming, especially for students who find social situations scary, but it is one of the best decisions you will make during your experience as a student. Read on to find out the different types of clubs and societies you can be a part of and the positive benefits of including them in your hectic student life.
What are clubs and societies?
Put simply, clubs, societies or groups are a specific, regular gathering of students that have the same interest. Many of the clubs are supervised by a faculty member but some are organized and managed independently by students. Remember that university isn’t just about studying to obtain a qualification. This crucial time in your life is the chance for you to get involved, try new things and develop your talents, skills, and interests. Joining a club or society is a great way to do this!
So many choices!
From anime clubs to choirs, language clubs to Netball, there are so many choices for you when you start college or university for the first time. Sports clubs are a great idea if you are looking to improve your physical and mental wellbeing, meet new people, and experience working as a team or if you are a competitive student that likes to be part of tournaments and competitions, then picking a sport you know you are good at or a brand-new sport you have never tried before would be the way to go.
Are you a musical or creative student? Maybe joining a choir or an art club would be the best choice for you? Exploring your creativity is a great way to express yourself and practice your skills. It’s also a great way to relieve stress and every student needs an outlet alongside their studying. If you are feeling adventurous, you may want to try a comedy or drama society, learn photography or even join a film society.
How do you join?
The best way to join a society or club is to sign up during your welcoming week. Most universities put on events or fairs to show you what the university has to offer. There will be a stand for societies and you can put your name down for as many as you like, but don’t take on too much, you should allow yourself time to hit the books, do your assignments, and have some time to unwind.
The positive benefits of joining clubs and societies
There are so many positive benefits to joining a society or club. The first one is that it helps you integrate into student life and enrich your experience. It's a great way to make friends, feel part of a community, and explore a common interest further or try something new. Having extracurricular activities on your resume or CV is also a great way to show future employers that you have a wide array of interests and skills. Most importantly though, joining clubs and societies is fun and even though your time in education is setting you up for your future, you also need to enjoy it.