University Life: What's The Deal With Societies?

Joining YSJ’s Drama Society was one of the best things I’ve ever done. In a year I’ve met some amazing people, put on some pretty great plays and I wouldn’t change it for the world! I can’t wait to go back to uni to see everyone again and welcome some new folk to our crazy clan.

As you can probably tell, I’m all for societies and what they offer for people. I highly recommend that anybody at university joins at least one society during their time (and here’s why) …

First of all, you get to take part in an activity (whether it be a hobby or a sport) that you love doing and if that’s not a good enough reason to join a society then what is?! There’s endless possibilities for different societies and they’re all tailored to specific interests; at York St John, we have a Feminist Society, a Harry Potter Society and a Historical Re-enactment Society to name a few. Although I’m biased… Drama Society is the best society at YSJ so if you’re a fresher I think you should come and join. Plus, it’ll look great on your CV to show that you’re enthusiastic and dedicated about something other than your course and you’ll have a better social life than if you stayed in your room all the time.

For a few hours each week, being a part of a society relieves some of the stress that uni puts upon you. It’s a time when you don’t have to think about the looming deadline at the end of next week (although I recommend you prioritise uni work before anything else…maybe not eating or sleeping but you get the picture) and you can just relax and enjoy an activity that you’re passionate about with a group of people who are in the same boat as you.

Oh yeah, speaking of the other people in societies – I promise you, they’re not that bad.

Joining a society is the best way to make friendships, particularly in your first year, because you know that you have something in common straight away. It’s immediately more natural (and although it’s initially awkward, I won’t lie, but then again, it’s always going to be awkward starting out somewhere new), it’s not the same type of ‘forced’ friendship you make like with flatmates where you have to get along and be friendly with them because you’re going to be living with them for a year. That’s not to say there weren’t times in Drama when other people didn’t annoy the hell out of me because I’m pretty sure every person in the society this year wanted to kill someone else at least once. BUT WE PUSH PAST IT AND ACCEPT EVERYONE DESPITE THEIR FAULTS BECAUSE WE ARE NICE PEOPLE.

It’s also nice to see familiar faces around campus when you’re walking back from a lecture by yourself. It makes you feel popular for those few seconds when you awkwardly say hi to somebody going in the opposite direction. Despite a few awkward encounters, particularly during the first few weeks, there’s no doubt that people in societies are just always really supportive of you no matter what. Say you need some help with your dissertation – don’t worry, your society has got your back. Say you’re feeling really homesick – don’t worry, your society will cheer you up and take you under their wing.

Possibly one of the most exciting (and eventually upsetting) things about joining a society, if not just during your time at uni in general, you often get people joining from different countries. These people offer new perspectives on uni life and for the most part, are super fun to get to know as they’re pretty much living their best life away from home. Heck, they might even become your lifelong friend, or sister that you never knew needed in your life. Someone that you can relive all your 13-year-old emotions with when you have a mutual love of the Jonas Brothers and High School Musical and can be your go-to gossiping partner whenever you have some juicy news. Okay yes, I am talking about Tess (the love of my life… after Eddie obvs) but I do love my other international faves too (aka Al, Carmen, Sandra and Milan), they’re all wonderful and I miss them all sososo much already!

The Ryan to my Sharpay!

Since joining Drama Society, I’ve done a lot of cool things that I would have never done if I hadn’t been in a society. Although they cost a bit of money, trips out are definitely a good way to get to know other people in your society better, outside of the dedicated society time and allows you to explore what your place of study has to offer.

Some of the trips out we did were:

Going to the theatre to see The Play That Goes Wrong – this was such a brilliant performance and just emphasised our love for theatre. It was definitely an experience we didn’t want to miss!

Games of Laser Quest – granted there were only four of us that turned up, it was still such a fun way to spend time together. It showed how competitive we all actually were!

A lot of meals out...and nights out – this is probably the best and easiest way to get everybody from your society bonding together. Yummy food and alcohol, what more do you need?! 

We even had a fancy dinner at the end of the term at York Racecourse to celebrate each societies’ achievements throughout the year! It was such an amazing way to round off the year in such a lovely place!

Drama Society better watch out for next year since they’ve appointed me as Social Sec!! Be prepared for some wild nights out dressed up as god only knows what (when I get around to actually planning them lol).

That’s all from me! I hope this post inspires freshers or even people in 2^nd or 3^rd year who are too nervous to join, knowing that it’s not all bad and once you get into it and start mixing with people like yourself, you’ll enjoy uni so much more!

Thanks for reading,

Em x