University clubs and societies

[Caralinda]

What sorts of clubs and societies have your DC got involved with, and how important have they been for their university experience? Current Covid situation notwithstanding, ds was wondering how important these are for friendships, social life and with some of them for career opportunities. He’d be probably looking at joining things he’s never done before but a bit wary about being the only beginner. Be really interested in your dc’s experiences.

My dcs didn't join any societies until 2nd year
Dd joined the Uni TV channel and by 4th year she was manager and channel won student TV channel of the year ( she'd had no previous experience apart from helping with lighting school productions)...she also joined the OPSOC and took part in 3 productions and had a brilliant time meeting students out with her course
Ds joined sub aqua club and climbing societies and been on several weekends away with them....he'd never been diving before and now has his sports diver/ assistant diving instructor ...also geography society which has been a bonus for his degree
He Also joined dungeons and dragons society
Dd 2 didn't join any societies...she was more interested in night clubs and going to gym!

Thanks, that’s interesting! Especially about their waiting until second year before joining.

DS was doing a very male-dominated course, so societies (music & drama in his case) were very important for meeting a broader range of people. Not sure there will be much available to start with though?

It is very variable and every student has their own preferences. I was in the chamber choir and university chorus, toured abroad singing and all sorts and other clubs too. One of my children who just left joined only one club however and only in his last year his favourite - lacrosse. Both my twins made lots of friends in halls. One also made a lot of friends on his course too as they had a lot of field trips and exercises together.

As I was reading law volunteering for 2 years (only after studying law for a year as you need knowledge to advise) in a law centre at the university was very useful for all kinds of reasons.

Lots of people are only beginners and it is no problem at all.

We Tory students invited Tory cabinet ministers to speak at our university and that was fascinating given how left wing many students then and now are so a useful lesson in avoiding eggs and in how some people are not prepared to allow others to speak.

Getting involved it leadership committees of clubs is a great way to boost employment chances. The reality is a lot of people are going to uni and a lot will get 2:1 or firsts. Clearly this doesn't necessarily apply to vey specialist careers where technical know how from the degree subject is vital but in general, it's being involved in extra curricular activities where great job candidates set themselves apart from the masses. It's not about the specific club or society, it's about the transferable skills - self discipline to get a degree AND do other activities, time management, managing members, awkward situations, budgeting all sorts of things.

Bear in mind these come with committee positions which are often contested amongst existing and known members, so much as I agree with pp about not rushing into things equally don't leave it too late.

DD only joined the biological society as she has CFS, and the other societies she was interested in would have meant a long walk after a tiring day. She made friends from her course and her flat, so she wasn't that bothered about going out again to try and make some new ones.

I met my now husband at a Society... He was at the 'other' university but it was joint. Also several of my best friends. Not advocating joining a club just to meet your future spouse though! (Been together 15 years, married for 10)

I knew what society I was going to join at uni before I entered sixth form. Made a beeline for them at Freshers Fair, went on the committee and became Secretary and then Chair, met all my closest friends there, and DH to whom I’m still married thirty years later.

It can vary a lot by university. Total anecdata, friends on campus unis in the arse end of nowhere or small towns (Bangor, Aber, Warwick) seemed to shape their social lives around societies more than those in cities.

I personally never fell hugely into any societies, but had an on-campus job that provided a lot of social life/friends. Others did more sport, or volunteering type stuff. Honestly I think a lot of it depends what you fall into, rather than going in specifically with a plan!

Dd 1 totally immersed herself in a sports club. 2 training nights and 2 social nights a week. Competitions and tours away was the hub of her social life and enhanced uni experience.
Dd 2 has joined nothing but has a wide circle of friends from her course and from halls.
Both have had and are having a very positive uni experience

DD1 joined college rowing as a cox and an orchestra in year 1. In year 2 she continued coxing and auditioned for her college chapel choir. The Director of Music wanted a greater commitment than DD could manage so suggested she auditioned for the college down the road. DD did and has sung with them for the last 2 years. She was meant to go to Italy in March but Covid cancelled that.

In year 3, she carried on singing but chose not to cox unless nobody else was available. She has done acrobatic dance instead. She has danced since she was 3 (ballet & tap) but this is completely different. She went to a varsity championships in Blackpool in February and won a trophy!

No idea what will happen in year 4. She wants to carry on her chapel choir and dance but will wait and see.

DD2 has always been a keen singer. She sang in her university choir and is now the choir secretary. Again, she is not sure what will happen this coming year. She has played badminton too.

It's all about meeting different people and having some fun. Both DDS are competent and experienced musicians, so know that they can always go back to that. As string players, those groups are the most likely to start first, so I am expecting them to take instruments and music stands back with them.

DS made most of his friends through his accommodation and course. He did join the boxing club, for fitness, but didn't make any friends through it

Totally varies, both by university and also by personality.
dc1 joined a few at Freshers' Fair and dropped in and out, attending occasional things but never really felt particularly strongly about any.
dc2 signed up or about 3 at Freshers' but became totally immersed in her sport and had not time for the others.
Living in a university City myself, I've met quite a few people who have joined things outside of the University - just local groups, teams, volunteering, hobbies, etc - it doesn't have to be confined to other student things.
I know plenty of people who met their other halves through University societies too.
It gives a 3rd 'option' of meeting different people, outside of your flat and your course, which is generally a positive thing.

DS joined his subject society as a Fresher and ended up President in his 3rd year. It was a central part of his student life and provided great CV fodder in terms of business related skills.

DD is heavily involved in a society related to the hobby she has pursued since she was tiny and it has been a great way to connect with similar minded people across all year groups. She hasn’t joined her subject society as it’s “for nerds”. Her society involvement takes up 2 evenings and one whole weekend day every week and in the early weeks of the first year was a great way to keep busy and not get homesick!

DD1 went wanting to carry on singing. Joined a relaxed singing group in Y1 but found it cliquey. Joined a chamber choir in y2 and that was way better with performances and involvement in a major stage production in the city. She also became Chair of her faculty ball committee and chair of her MFL society. All of these looked good on the cv.

She also volunteered for the National Trust in the vacations. She also attended the Law Society at university (as much as she was allowed as a non law undergrad) because she wanted to convert to law. Also make use of any cv help, schemes to improve work readiness, and careers advice. None of it was deliberately networking but getting work experience/internship/volunteering is vital if a student wants a job immediately after leaving university. I think employers do like busy students and doing more outside of study does give something extra to the cv.