November 3, 2023, by Aisia Lea

Societies Aren’t All About Sport

You’ve probably heard by now that joining societies at University are one of the best ways to immerse yourself into the student community and to make friends. However, it may feel a bit daunting if you believe that most of our societies are sports-orientated, but you’ll be glad to know that this is not the case! There are a plethora of societies at the University that you can become a part of, and there is something for everyone.

Firstly, it is important to know that there are a number of different sporting societies at the University at a variety of different levels. To play on university sports teams (the most competitive level), you will need to have a David Ross Sports Village membership. For lower-level, less competitive teams, you do not need one. Sports teams are a great way to meet people whilst staying fit at the same time. You will be expected to attend training (oftentimes weekly, although it may be more). As well as attending games that may be both at and always from the University. Whilst sports teams are great – they are not the only type of society available. There are plenty of opportunities for those who aren’t as athletically inclined (such as myself!).

There are a variety of societies ranging from academic to just pure fun! We have a large variety of societies at the university, and it is likely that you will find a society aligned with your course or school. As I come from the School of Medicine, there are absolutely loads of medicine-related societies (such as MedSoc, the Clinical Skills Society and MedSoc Support). Societies are a great way not only to make friends but also to boost your portfolio. You can apply for positions on a committee and play a role in how it is run! This also means that you can form close bonds with other committee members, getting to know them by having meetings and keeping up society communications.

To apply to be on a society, you will need to keep an eye out of the society’s social media to see when committee applications are open (this is usually around March, but keep an eye out all year round). These social media posts will detail how to apply for the role. You may need to fill out a form or send an email detailing why you want to be a part of the society and what you can bring to your position. Positions that you may be able to apply for are Social Media Officer (where you produce social media posts), General Secretary (who takes meeting minutes and is responsible for the general admin of the society), and President (who oversees and runs the society). These roles are voluntary and are done alongside your studies, so make sure that you are prepared for any time commitments that may arise as part of your being on the committee.

Other non-academic societies that you can join include DogSoc (where you get to walk dogs), Cocktail Society, and musical societies (so you don’t need to forget the instrument that you’ve learnt over previous years!). All societies have to have a committee, so you can apply to be on any committee that you fancy. Society membership can incur a cost, and this differs by society and the activities that they put on. Some societies can be as cheap as £1 for a year’s membership.

There are plenty of society options at Nottingham, so I’m sure that you’ll be able to find one that you like. You can find out more about societies on the Student Union website.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Google+
• Share on LinkedIn