Freshers: Tips on joining societies!

One thing that is an exciting part of fresher’s week is the large and varied range of societies and clubs that you can choose to join from here at the university, from sports and political based to cultural and academic. There is definitely something out there for you! Here are some of my top tips in tackling the large number right before you, as well as making the most of them during university:

• Try something new! As mentioned, there is such a wide range of societies available, and so it’s always a great idea to try something different that takes your fancy, whether that be a sport you’re keen to try, or a hobby. Joining a selective range of societies will definitely enrich your experience at university and give you a bit of a break from studying!

• Join your subjects academic society! If there’s one society you join, I’d recommend joining an academic society which can be very useful in your first year in terms of having a support network, as well as the provision of social and extracurricular opportunities. The Law Society, for example, has its own annual trip abroad, as well as networking opportunities with local law firms.

• Be selective! I would definitely recommend trying a range of societies, though also limit yourself to realistically what you can commit to. It may be helpful to sign up to several as a speculative member, as you will most likely receive an email inviting you to a few initial sessions, allowing you to get a feel before committing fully, so definitely take advantage of those to see if the society is really for you! I remember signing up for a lot of societies, but only ended up being a committed member of a select few. Be sure to bear in mind things like membership costs to each society and what is expected of you in terms of weekly meetings which must be balanced alongside your studies.

• Consider the potential to join a committee! – Often people will join a society they’re very passionate about, and before they know it the time to select a new committee for the upcoming academic year arrives! If you see that there is a society you are highly passionate about throughout the year, then it is a good idea to consider running for a committee role such as President or Treasurer, for example. It will look great on your CV, while allowing you to be a representative for something you’re passionate about!

To get a headstart, you can check out the hundreds of different societies on offer at the university on the Student Union website: https://www.leicesterunion.com/groups

I hope this was useful; let me know if you have any questions!