How to find the right society for you
By Amy,
If you’re worried about making friends or settling into life at the University of Edinburgh, my biggest piece of advice is to join a student society! As a new student, I spent my Welcome Week and beyond getting stuck into societies that interested me, and four years later, I can confidently say that it absolutely shaped my university experience. My closest friends, flatmates, and even my career path have all come as a result of joining these societies, and I don’t regret it one bit!
We’re incredibly lucky that the University offers a huge variety of societies and sports clubs to choose from. But as a new student, this can also feel a little overwhelming. Which society do you choose? As someone who feels very passionate about finding your home away from home within a student society, I’ve put together a few of my top tips to help you find the right one for you.
What do you want?
Before diving into what societies are available at the university, first ask yourself: What do I want out of this experience?
- Do I want to continue a hobby I already enjoy?
- Do I want to try something completely new or learn a skill?
- Do I want to meet people on my course and expand my academic interests?
- Do I want a group to go out and party with?
- Do I want something relaxing that offers a good way to socialise?
- Do I want something more career-oriented to put on my CV?
Understanding what you want from a society will help you narrow your search and find something that genuinely meets your needs.
Have a browse
Your one-stop shop for all student societies is the Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) website, which lists all societies registered with the Students’ Association. The same goes for sports clubs, which can be found on the Edinburgh University Sports Union (EUSU) website. This is a great place to explore the full range of societies, or to look for something specific.
Keep in mind that not all society names are straightforward, so if you’re searching for a specific activity, you might need to do a little digging. If a particular group catches your eye, I highly recommend checking them out on social media. Many societies have Instagram accounts where they post updates, event details, and a general vibe of what they’re all about.
View societies on EUSA website
View sports clubs on EUSU website
Have a chat
Looking online is a great way to get an overview, but browsing long lists can get overwhelming fast. That’s why I recommend attending the Sports and Activities Fair during Welcome Week.
Societies at the fair change daily, so if you want to see as much as possible, try to go on multiple days. It’s a fantastic opportunity to ask questions and get a real feel for each society. If something piques your interest, attend their Welcome Week events – whether it’s a taster session or a casual social. These are low-pressure ways to see if the society might be a good fit.
Make the most of Welcome Week
Societies use Welcome Week as a key opportunity to attract new members, so don’t feel nervous – they want you at their events and are excited to welcome you! During my own Welcome Week, I went to many society events on my own, and although it was a little scary at first, I never felt unwanted or out of place. While going with a friend is great too, showing up solo allowed me to really engage with society members and figure out if it was the right fit. It was also a lot of fun, and I met tons of people, both fellow first-years and older students, many of whom are still close friends today!
View Activities Fair part one information
View Activities Fair part two information
View Activities Fair part three information
Consider the cost
Most societies will charge some sort of membership fee, but the costs can vary widely depending on what the society offers. Some may need to cover venue hire, equipment, materials, insurance, or transport, all of which can add to the price. Certain societies may also expect you to bring your own gear, and some sports clubs require a gym membership on top of society fees.
Societies should be upfront about their costs, either on their own websites or social media channels, or on the EUSA/EUSU websites. Always make sure you’re aware of the full cost before committing!
Don’t overcommit
The time commitment for each society varies, so be mindful not to spread yourself too thin. In my first week, I joined the production team for a musical, which meant I was in rehearsals three times a week until March! That worked well for me, as I was happy being involved in just one society, but if you’re someone who wants to explore multiple hobbies or groups (which is very normal), make sure you’re aware of how much time each society expects. And don’t forget, you still have classes to attend and assignments to complete. Leave room for your studies, too!
Don’t under commit
Starting university can be very nerve wracking, but remember that everyone is in the same boat – don’t let your fear get in the way of you giving student societies a try! Even if you are a little unsure, try and give a few thigs a go and see if anything sticks. By being brave and putting in a little bit of effort, I am certain that you will find a society that suits you, and this will make all the difference to making you feel settled and happy in you first year!
