Why joining societies is worth it
By Jahzara, from England, stuyding Philosophy and Politics (MA)
Societies are my favourite thing about university (which is saying a lot considering I really enjoy my course). I don’t think societies get enough praise for the amount they add to any University experience which is why I decided to make it the topic of my blog. I really recommend trying some out and hope my reasons below sway you at least a little.
You can try new things!
When I first started university I was determined to try new things, things I never got to try considering I grew up in a tiny town in England. Societies proved to be a great way to do so. In my first semester of first year, I joined the Pole Dancing Society and started pole dancing for the very first time. I lasted a few weeks, then decided it is simply not for me. It was incredibly fun though, and I look back on my memories with Pole Soc fondly.
Without Pole Soc, I probably would have never gone to a pole dancing class, an experience I would now recommend everyone try. My advice is to to new and random societies as much as you can and experience as much as you can!
Meet like-minded people and make friends
Another reason societies are my favourite thing about university is because it’s a great way to make friends! You can meet so many like-minded people, find people with similar interests to you, or go out on a limb and try something new and meet people you never would have met otherwise. Some of my closest friends from university so far have become a part of my life because we met at a society event.
Make a difference
Most societies I joined (like Gender Liberation, Girl* Up Edinburgh, and The Feminist Society), I joined because of my desire to do my part in making change. For example, during my time as BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) Officer for Girl* Up Edinburgh, in just one bake sale we raised £752 for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians. It was an incredible thing to be a part of and I hope to continue my time at the University of Edinburgh like this.
In my first year, as a committee member for two societies, I was able to run four meetings: one on Fatphobia and Desirability Politics, another on Gendered Narratives in African and Caribbean Folklore (and whether they are oppressive or liberating), a Solidarity and Resistance Art workshop, and a meeting on Womanism. Through these meetings, as well as my contributions in other meetings, I believe I made a difference by shedding light on things like racial justice and the significance of intersectionality in all realms of discussion.
All in all, this has made my time at university that much more fulfilling. This might not be something that appeals to you, but it certainly is something to consider.
You can learn new skills by joining a committee
Joining a society isn’t limited to becoming a member. As I stated above, I was on two committees in my first year, and many skills can be learnt from being part of a society committee. You learn better time management because of the deadlines you must stick to, organisational skills, creative skills (perhaps you are the graphic designer or the events planner) and the list goes on!
Societies have a lot to offer you in terms of personal development so I’d definitely recommend giving a committee role a try for at least one Semester!
Find community
This point is different from point two because this is a point about identity. As a Black sapphic woman in a predominantly white institution, it’s easy to feel like I stick out. Often I am one of the only Black people in my lectures. In joining the African and Caribbean Society (ACS), I feel a lot less alone. I have a community who understands what it’s like to go through life in Edinburgh as a Black person. Without ACS, I think my adjustment to Edinburgh (a much less diverse place than where I lived before) would have been a lot less smooth. I really appreciate ACS for all they do.
To conclude, I hope this convinced you to give a few societies a try! I do believe they complete the University experience.
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