Joining societies as an undergraduate student

Looking to join a society at Warwick? In this blog, BSc Accounting & Finance student Sneha shares her top tips on finding the right society for you.

When I first joined university, I realised that one of the best ways to integrate yourself into university life is through joining societies especially because it is important to balance your time. Societies are such a great way to meet people and learn new skills, as well as enhance your resume.  I joined societies to escape the ‘routine’ of weekly study life and do something that was new and that I really enjoyed. With so many different societies available, I found it difficult to know which society was right for me, therefore, below are my top tips on how I found the right societies:

Top tips on how to find the right society for you:

1. Explore your passions and your interests prior to joining university – Out of the countless options available, you are free to choose a society that helps you connect with your passions from the past or give you the opportunity to try something that you would never usually have the opportunity to do. I would suggest looking at a list of societies available at university prior to joining university so that you have an idea of what societies catch your eye the most. At the Univeristy of Warwick you can see all the societies available by looking on the Warwick SU (student union) website.
2. Choose a variety of societies with different purposes - When I was looking at which societies I wanted to join, I chose three specific societies with three different purposes. I joined a cultural society that helped me connect with my culture away from home, I joined an organisation; Project Access to help bridge the gap of access to higher education, and I joined the accounting society that helped me boost my skills and career. Even if you are not sure about which society to join, most societies will offer a taster session especially during freshers week, so use this opportunity to try them out and explore which ones are your favourite!
3. Try something new - If you want to try out a new society or an activity that you have never done before, nothing knits people together more than learning and trying something new. This could be learning a new sport, or dance, and even joining one that teaches you new skills such as public speaking!
4. Start a new society – If you can’t find a society that takes your interest you can always start a new society that reflects what you are most passionate about! You never know how many other people will love your idea, and it is a great way to boost your management, and leadership skills.

The lifestyle at university encourages flexibility, which means you are in control to find a routine that works well for you. Learning to balance your studies and personal time once you have joined a society is important so that you can take some time out for yourself to do something that you enjoy.

1. Prioritise your time – During my first year at Warwick, I learnt to prioritise different things during different times of the year. For example, the first two months of university, I spent my personal time attending society events which helped me meet new people and explore university life. I also spent January-February attending career events, skills workshops, and other activities to build myself.
2. Get organised- I found that balancing my time between studies and extra-curricular activities is not easy at university especially because you do not have a set timetable like school. I highly suggest making a schedule for the week ahead to allow you to delegate your time accordingly and prioritise your own personal time to focus on extra-curricular activities and other society events.

Overall, it is important for you to balance your time at university, step out of your comfort zone, and join a few societies to make your university experience more than just your studies. In the end, you will become more confident and learn new skills as well as build your CV ready for the working world!

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