Societies in college: "Don’t be afraid to dive into the deep end"

“Join societies!” It’s probably the most frequent advice you’ll hear during your first week in college. Somewhere between collecting free tote bags, convincing yourself you’ll use the campus gym, and signing up for 12 mailing lists you’ll never open, everyone tells you the same thing: get involved.

But when Fresher’s Week arrives, it’s easy to get carried away. You sign up for everything, attend nothing, and spend the rest of the semester wondering why you’re still getting emails from the Juggling Society. The trick isn’t joining societies, it’s finding the right ones!

The best university experiences can be traced back to three types of societies: those that build a sense of community, develop your career, or enhance your creativity. Language and culture-based societies offer familiarity during a period of huge change. Societies such as the Trinity French Society, the Galway Islamic Society, Cumann Gaelech, and the LGBTQ societies attract students looking for both friendship and community. Some join to stay connected to their culture, while others simply want to learn about a new one.

Social events like nights out, craft-making, and speed-dating will help you to socialise during those first few awkward weeks at uni. Long after you’ve forgotten your first year roommates, you’ll remember the Italian Society trip that went off the rails or the random Erasmus pub quiz etched forever into your psyche.

Ever wonder how students are expected to have experience without having experience? Well, look no further than your average college society, bridging the gap between course and career. Whether it’s the UCC Law Society, Trinity Business Society, or Women in STEM Society, career-focused societies offer opportunities to explore industries before you enter them. Think of them as low-stakes testing grounds for your future career.

Want to work in media? Join the UCD College Tribune or Limerick’s Wired FM. Want to improve your public speaking? Debating societies like the famous Literary and Historical Society at UCD or Trinity Historical Society will do just that. And if you’re curious about politics, consider running for the Students Union.

Not only does society involvement look great on a CV, but taking on committee roles can provide experience that many graduates struggle to get elsewhere. Managing budgets, running campaigns, or leading a society all translate into real-world skills that make you stand out. By climbing the ranks, whether it’s as an auditor, president, captain, or editor-in-chief, you get the chance to shape a society and its future.
The networking opportunities don’t hurt either. Guest speakers, alumni events, and industry panels can open doors that you didn’t know you’d want to walk through.

However, you can also join a society just for fun. Whether it’s sport, art, or a niche interest, taking time away from your degree to pursue other skills makes for a more enjoyable and well-rounded university experience.

Making your first short film with the UCD Film Soc or working backstage for the Trinity Players are ways of sharpening creative skills. Movie screenings become post-film discussions in the student bar. Weekly rehearsals turn into lifelong stories and friendships.

And remember: sometimes, the best societies are the unexpected ones. University is one of the few periods in life where experimentation is actively encouraged. Don’t be afraid to dive into the deep end.
Who knows – maybe juggling is a new secret passion of yours waiting to be discovered…

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