Open Doors to New Horizons – Join a Society at the University of Chester

As a third-year BSc Forensic Biology student, I have recently come to realise the key role that societies have played in my life since I stepped foot onto the Exton Park campus. From general events to socials, societies have shaped my university experience to date, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way!

With a total of 74 societies (at the last count) this academic year, from Book Club to Arab Society, the University of Chester offers a wide variety of activities for students to get involved in. There’s something here for everyone, though, if you do find a novel society idea that other students haven’t covered, you could form a new society at the Chester Students’ Union (CSU). But how does the whole ‘societies’ thing work at university? Continue reading to find out how I did it.

How do I Decide What Societies to Join?

I, unlike most students I’ve met, didn’t browse the A-Z of Societies available before moving to Chester. My priorities were firmly rooted in just getting my degree ‘over and done with’ and joining a society wasn’t on my agenda. However, everything changed when I attended the annual Welcome Week Sports and Societies Fair about two weeks into my new life in the city. If you’re looking to browse societies, to get a feel for their energy or to ask questions, the Sports and Societies Fair is the place to go. With most societies in attendance, it’s easy to discover what takes your fancy.

I started by taking a walk past all the stalls to gauge what opportunities were available, and I was surprised to see an overwhelming number that I was interested in. To sign up to learn more information, all you have to do is write your student email address and name on the society sign up sheet, and they will contact you with further information about their taster sessions and social events. By the time I left, I had signed up to Catholic Society, Archery, Book Club and Marvel Society, and that was after much restraint! The rest of Welcome Week usually involves a lot of society-testing so you can join the societies you like most.

Can I Create My Own Society?

If you don’t find a society that you would like to join but have an interest that you think others may share, you can create a new society at the CSU. The application process is supported by the team at every step, and each committee member has access to the Committee Hub, where all training can be undertaken and information about member sign-ups or funding can be found.

If this process sounds like too much hassle, you can always adopt a pre-existing society to give it another chance at life. All it takes is two people who are willing to be president and treasurer, alongside three other friends to set it up. Plus, you’ll have access to the society funds to give you a head start!

What Should I Expect When I First Join a Society?

Joining a society is a simple process, mainly consisting of attending a few taster sessions, and, once you decide that you want to attend future events, signing up via the society page on the CSU website. Societies usually expect you to sign up after a month or so into the academic year as they understand that you want to try things out before committing to anything permanently.

To sign up, all you have to do is find the society you’d like to join from the A-Z list of societies (visit the link above), click ‘join this group’ and follow the prompts from there. A small charge will be made to secure your membership; it’s used to support society events throughout the year, or, in some cases, it's donated to charity on your behalf. The membership prices differ depending on the society and the year you join, so always ask a committee member for up-to-date information or check online.

How Many is Too Many Societies?

So how many societies can you manage throughout the year alongside your studies? The answer is completely dependent on you. I, for one, have managed to commit to about two per year, though, it all depends on how many sessions you attend per week, how much involvement you have in sessions and if you attend weekly socials. I also find that there are periods in the year when you have more time to spend doing extracurricular activities, not typically during exam season – societies act as an additional feature of university life after all, while your course work should take precedence whenever possible.

Why Should You Join a Society?

As I have a month left until the end of my course, I have been reflecting on my experiences at Chester, and am happy to say that I’ve committed to a total of seven different societies throughout my time here. From Catholic Society and Archery in my first year, to being a member of the Christian Union in my second year, and Pool Society and Sustainability Society this year, I’ve made lasting friendships and unforgettable memories on campus and off.

Are societies worth the effort, you ask? My life wouldn’t be the same today if I hadn’t met my current friend group through societies, and the past three years would have been less lively, without a doubt. I think they’re always worth a try!