Societies, clubs and the students' union

Societies are one of the best things about university: a ready-made group of people who share an interest, from debating and robotics to cultural, faith and volunteering groups. Sport is covered in lesson fx-09; this lesson is about everything else, including starting and leading a society.

What the students' union does

• In the UK, the students' union (SU) is usually a student-led organisation that runs societies, volunteering, events and often an independent advice centre. In the US, similar activities are run through student government and student activities offices.
• The SU usually lists every society on its website with membership costs, contact details and social media.
• UCAS notes that the welcome fair features SU representatives, support services and societies, so it is the easiest place to see the range.
• SU advice centres can help with problems such as housing or academic appeals (lesson sb-07).

Choosing which to join

• UCAS suggests picking no more than three societies to try, and committing to at least one.
• Aim for a mix: one linked to your course or career, one for fun or a new skill, and one for community, such as a cultural or faith society.
• Go to two or three taster sessions before paying for membership. Note the cost of membership, trips and events.
• Check when they meet. A society whose weekly meeting clashes with your lab will not work, however good it looks.
• If a society's culture makes you uncomfortable, you can leave politely and try another.

Getting involved, not just signing up

• Most people sign up to many mailing lists at the fair and go to almost nothing. Choose one and turn up three weeks in a row; that is when people start to know your name.
• Offer to help with one small job: setting up a room, running a stall, designing a poster. It is the fastest route from stranger to member.
• Volunteering through the SU is another option. The University of Bath's careers service describes volunteering as highly flexible around your studies and useful for exploring sectors.
• Your personal tutor can also suggest opportunities. King's College London lists encouraging involvement in societies as part of the tutor's role.

Committee roles and leadership

• Each society is run by a student committee, usually elected each year. Common roles include chair or president, vice chair, treasurer or finance officer, secretary and events or social media officers.
• Bath's careers service notes that societies and committee roles build leadership, event planning and teamwork skills that employers value.
• First-year roles (such as first-year representative) are often elected early in the autumn term. Ask the committee when elections are held.
• On your CV, write what you did and what happened: 'Organised a 60-person Eid dinner with a budget of £400' says more than 'member of Islamic Society'. See the CVs module.

Starting your own society

• If nothing fits, you can usually start one. At Buckinghamshire New University's SU, for example, you need at least three students to form a committee, including a chair, vice chair and finance manager.
• Bucks SU asks new societies to submit a constitution, a risk assessment and a webpage form, after which the committee receives training and the society is created on the SU website.
• Start small: test interest with one free event before you write the paperwork.
• Other unions have different rules and minimum numbers, so talk to your SU's activities team first.