Let me guess, freshers week is nothing but a distant blur by now? You’re settled in, you know your way around campus and, more importantly, you know your way around the bars! But don’t get too comfortable just yet.
I’m sure you remember(ish!) the freshers fair. Some super-keen randomer shoving a leaflet under your nose while handing you a free packet of love hearts telling you to “sign up because it will be the best experience of your life!” You’re not quite convinced. You don’t feel the urge to skydive or join the debating society just yet.
Before you sack off the idea altogether think to yourself – why are you at university? To get a degree, sure. But that’s surely not just it?
It’s in my nature to be active and part of a team so it was only natural that I joined a society. As an avid dancer, sometime gymnast and recent cheerleader, the cheerleading society was the right combination of all three for me. Little did I know that, three years later, I wouldn’t just come out of Leeds Uni with a Law degree, I would also come out having been a Captain, a social secretary, a university champion, a National champion and a European champion as well as having made some of the best friends of my life.
(April 2011 – me in the middle with my amazing team and the trophies we won that day – taking home the University Grand Champion title)
So if the fancy titles and shiny trophies haven’t managed to convince you already, here are my top three reasons for joining a society at Leeds University.
1) The BEST social life
“You make your best friends for life at University.” – What a cliché. But it’s so true. I trained with my team mates anything from 2-5 nights a week. We would train together, go to the gym together, socialise together, go on holidays together… ok so perhaps some time apart was needed! But having those shared experiences of learning a new skill, winning together, losing together and being part of a team really does bring you so much closer. You are also going to be mixing with like-minded people. Rather than being put in a flat with what are essentially randomers, it’s a way of scouting out people with similar interests, drive and ambitions. There’s so much more to a society than the activity itself. You only need to look in Walkabout on a Wednesday night to see how much fun socials are! Whether it’s a hot tub in Halo, a toga party, or a fancy dress Otley run – no one does it quite like a LUU society!
2) It can open other doors When I joined the cheerleading society I wasn’t just joining a team, I was joining a community. Through being a part of the University’s club, I was opened up to a whole new world (pardon the Aladdin quote!) of experiences which saw me competing with the National standard team in Germany on two occasions – an experience I had never even dreamed of. It also gave me a new skill that I was able to use in other areas of my life. I took my new found cheer skills state side and worked on a Camp this summer in America. I also competed abroad and experienced two fantastic ‘holidays’ with the cheerleading society – formerly known as tour. We went once to Italy and once to Spain. The less I say about those, the better – I’ll let you find that one out for yourself! Still not convinced?
3) It makes you more employable
After graduation I did the predictable student escape from reality – I went travelling! The sad fact is we all have to graduate sometime, and we can’t travel forever! Within a month of returning, I was fortunate enough to secure myself a fantastic graduate job. Whilst going through the application and interview process you get a reality check when you see how many people you’re up against. Everyone has a degree. Most have a 2:1 or above. They therefore ask, ‘how do you stand out?’ Cue your SOCIETY! Everyone involved in a club or society will have a completely unique experience to offer, so whether you’re the Captain of a sports team, host of an LSR Radio show, or the worst boarder in Snowriders – it’s something that makes you stand out from the crowd.
So there you have it, three amazing reasons to get involved. There really are no excuses! As you can see, I went the whole hog. As Captain, involvement with my society was a huge part of my three years at Uni, but it doesn’t have to be. Most societies offer recreational participation or sub-teams for beginners or those who don’t have the time or inclination to commit too much time.
If you’re worried you have left it too late, don’t be! If try -outs have already happened, get in touch with the Captain/Coach/President. If you are serious about joining they may be able to offer you an individual try-out session. People are bound to drop out throughout the year so there may be spaces available. Failing that, you may be able to join their recreational/beginners team on a non-committal basis.
Check out the LUU website to see what society might be right for you. With over 150 to choose from, there really is something for everyone. And who knows where it might take you!