Hi All!
Your Guild of Students at University of Birmingham is home to over 500 student groups! Whether you want to pursue a hobby, organise an event, continue playing a sport or try something new, there is something out there for everybody. Each year during Welcome Week we host a Societies Fair, giving ALL students in any year the chance to explore these groups, see what the Guild has to offer and get the best start to University life. I am so excited to see so many of you get involved, but I’m guessing you have a few questions, which I hope to answer now….
Why should I join a student group?
Joining a student group at Birmingham is an amazing opportunity to make new friends! They provide a chance for you to meet people who you share a common interest with outside of your Halls of Residence and outside of your course.
Student Groups are also a great way to de-stress! Academia can be challenging so by taking time out of your studies, your productivity will increase. This is vital for protecting your mental wellbeing.
Participation in student societies will also boost your CV as it provides great transferrable skills, like teamwork and leadership.
Finally, student groups are the best way to pursue your interests and hobbies! This is a great chance to try out a new skill or hobby that you’ve always wanted to but perhaps have been unsure of how to go about it and The Guild makes it so easy to do.
How do I sign up?
The Societies Fair is being held on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd September 2021. This is a large exhibition where student societies showcase what their group is all about; you will be able to talk to members of the committee and see whether it interests you.
If you are interested, you will be able to put down your email address. By signing up, you will receive an email welcoming you to the introductory meeting which will give you the chance to see what the society is like and meet its members. I recommend that you make the most of it by signing up to any group that interests you - there is no limit!
Top Tip - After Societies Fair, you will get lots of emails. Write down the dates and times of the meetings that you are interested in. This way, you won’t forget anything or miss out. Welcome week is such a hectic time – don’t let it pass you by.
How do I choose what society to join?
Choosing societies can be daunting as there are so many, so it’s important to consider what you want to get out of the experience. You should also attend the ‘Give it a Go’ Fair on Friday 24th September 2021 where there will be demonstrations, performances and opportunities to try different things.
Most of our societies will also offer taster sessions where you can try it out without the commitment.
Finally, if you can’t find the right society for you, or you’ve spotted a gap in the market, you can start your own!
The most important thing is to not be afraid of trying something new – university is all about self-discovery and finding out your interests and hobbies!
Have a fantastic Welcome Week!
Josephine