The Student Room Group

uni society info

When joining a society at uni, what does it contribute towards? Does it count towards something and therefore smt more serious like debate would be more useful than volleyball?
Or do they not go towards anything and its purely for the same of the students enjoyment and hobbies?
Original post by Anonymous
When joining a society at uni, what does it contribute towards? Does it count towards something and therefore smt more serious like debate would be more useful than volleyball?
Or do they not go towards anything and its purely for the same of the students enjoyment and hobbies?


Unless you play sport, usually its just for enjoyment / making friends who have similar interests :smile:
Original post by Anonymous
When joining a society at uni, what does it contribute towards? Does it count towards something and therefore smt more serious like debate would be more useful than volleyball?
Or do they not go towards anything and its purely for the same of the students enjoyment and hobbies?

Great Question!

University societies serve multiple purposes, and their significance varies from personal development to social engagement. Here are some aspects to consider:

Personal Development: Joining a society can contribute to your personal growth. For example, debate societies can enhance your public speaking and critical thinking skills, which can be valuable in various aspects of life, including your future career.

Social Engagement: Societies are an excellent way to make friends and expand your social circle. They provide opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals who share your interests.

Skill Enhancement: Different societies offer unique skill-building opportunities. For instance, joining a sports or dance society can help improve your physical fitness, coordination, and teamwork skills.

Hobbies and Enjoyment: Many students join societies primarily for enjoyment. It's a chance to engage in activities they are passionate about, whether it's playing a sport, participating in creative arts, or pursuing a hobby.

Networking and Career Opportunities: Some societies may offer networking events and opportunities to connect with professionals in a specific field. This can be beneficial for future job prospects.

It's important to note that the significance of a society depends on your personal goals and interests. Both debate and volleyball societies can be valuable, but they serve different purposes. You can choose societies based on what you find most meaningful and enjoyable. At London South Bank University, like at many institutions, you'll find a variety of societies catering to a wide range of interests and goals.


Fatima
Student ambassador- London South Bank University
(edited 6 months ago)
Original post by Anonymous
When joining a society at uni, what does it contribute towards? Does it count towards something and therefore smt more serious like debate would be more useful than volleyball?
Or do they not go towards anything and its purely for the same of the students enjoyment and hobbies?

Hey there!

Usually people just join societies to have fun and make friends. If you join a sports society then usually there will be that competitive element to it and you'll get to go to games. Otherwise, it's usually just something for a hobby. There's no grades from it.

Hope this helped!
Lucy - Digital Student Ambassador SHU
Original post by Anonymous
When joining a society at uni, what does it contribute towards? Does it count towards something and therefore smt more serious like debate would be more useful than volleyball?
Or do they not go towards anything and its purely for the same of the students enjoyment and hobbies?

Hi there! :h:

Societies are a great way for students to meet like-minded friends and socialise whilst spending some down-time out of their course. They don't directly go towards your course as they are separate but, depending on the society, can look great on your CV and can give you some great transferrable skills.

Generally, they are a great way to enhance your student experience at university and I would definitely recommend joining some or trying a few out when you start in your first year as it's a good way of trying out some new things and meeting new friends when you first arrive at uni. :smile:

Some societies link to specific courses at uni, such as 'biology' societies etc. so they are a great way of enhancing your experience with that course and building on some skills, but if you don't decide to join them then this won't negatively impact you in any way! Most enjoy joining societies to spend some time doing things much different to their course as a bit of down-time, such as sports, music, crafts etc. as they regularly run events for students to get involved with.

I'd definitely recommend joining some societies of current hobbies you might have to continue them at uni and meet people with similar interests, but also try out some new things too through societies- you never know what you might end up enjoying!

Best of luck!

- Alfie, University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep :biggrin:
Original post by Anonymous
When joining a society at uni, what does it contribute towards? Does it count towards something and therefore smt more serious like debate would be more useful than volleyball?
Or do they not go towards anything and its purely for the same of the students enjoyment and hobbies?

Anon,

It's great to join at least a couple of societies as it gives you the opportunity to get to know people outside of your course and to learn something new or to develop your knowledge or skills. It's also useful post-university when you are filling in application forms or have to go interview and they ask you something like: 'Can you give us an example of a time when you have had to work as part of a team?' If you play a team sport, then that can help you answer that question. Even if you don't go for a sports society, you might able to use your experience in a choir or in a debating team to show that you can work well with others and can use communication effectively.

You also sound more interesting on a CV/ at interview when they ask you: 'What do you like to do in your spare time?' If you can say stuff like: 'At university I was a member of the fencing society' or 'I used to play American football', then that's more interesting than, 'I like to listen to music and watch movies.'

Of course don't join a society that you are not interested in joining, or join a society just so you can put it on your CV. If the person at interview asks you questions about your hobby and you can't answer it, they will know clearly that you lied : ( Of course, if you do get the job and you've said that you spent three years playing American football and there is another colleague who did play or follows American football religiously, again you're going to be found out pretty soon when they start talking to you about it.

In short, societies are a great way to develop yourself as a person and to meet new people. Post-uni, it's helpful for CVs, job applications and interviews.

Hope that helps,

Oluwatosin 3rd year student University of Huddersfield
Original post by Anonymous
When joining a society at uni, what does it contribute towards? Does it count towards something and therefore smt more serious like debate would be more useful than volleyball?
Or do they not go towards anything and its purely for the same of the students enjoyment and hobbies?

Hi there, :smile:

Students join societies mainly to meet new friends with similar interests usually outside of their course. It's is a great way for new students to settle into University life. Joining a sports society offers health benefits, taking part in exercise can help with students mental health. If you join a sports society like volleyball you will likely find there will be the opportunity to take part in competitions against other Universities, this is brilliant for developing your team work and strategy skills whilst having fun.

There are also some societies that are course related so you may find one relating your course, these societies can be useful in strengthening your skills but not joining them isn't going to impact your course.

Societies are mostly about connecting with others and taking time away from your studies, so I'd definitely recommend joining. :smile:

All the best,
Sarah
Original post by Anonymous
When joining a society at uni, what does it contribute towards? Does it count towards something and therefore smt more serious like debate would be more useful than volleyball?
Or do they not go towards anything and its purely for the same of the students enjoyment and hobbies?

Hi Anon,

Students typically join sports and societies for enjoyment, exercise, and to do something a little different alongside their studies. It's a great way to take a break from studying, and also a fantastic way to meet like-minded people that you might not meet otherwise!

They don't usually go towards anything related to your degree, but they can be a valuable asset for your CV, applications, and interviews. Societies can be a great way to meet new people and can even offer networking events, and some will develop certain skills that may be applied to future study or work you are interested in.

There are certain societies that can look great if you are studying a certain subject, but this is not essential. If you are an International Relations or Politics student, you might find it useful to join the debate society, for example. It is definitely beneficial to join a sport or society you are interested in, as there is loads you can get out of it besides academic achievement.

I hope this helps,
Isabella :smile:

Quick Reply

Latest

Trending

Trending