“Come on Leah, you CAN do this!” I whispered to myself, a feeble attempt to soothe my nerves, as first-year me stood before the entrance of Societies Fair at the Academy. After months of research on the societies and clubs that our Student’s Union housed, I was excited yet slightly nervous as I walked by the aisles, where representatives eagerly invited everyone who made eye contact with them to promote their society (and hand out freebies, of course).

Fast forward a year, I waited again…not outside the Academy, but on the other side, representing the Accounting Society’s committee, far from the nervous fresher who explored the Fair a year back.

As I reflect on my time at university so far, I can gladly admit that societies have certainly shaped my journey, right from the beginning. And with the Student’s Union being home to more than 450 societies, founded and run by students creating a community to share their passion, it was easier than I had imagined finding societies that made me feel a sense of belonging.

As an enthusiast of extra-curricular activities right from school, I was keen on continuing on that momentum in university, as I believed it would present opportunities to hone my current skills, try out different things, and make new friends. Check, check, check, because societies helped me meet people from various backgrounds and cultures, pursuing interesting courses, and best of all, made me appreciate things that comprises of university life, beyond studies alone.

There’s something for every single person here, irrespective of your culture, interests, or any other factor. And that’s what makes the plethora of societies a lot more special! Whether you’re hoping to get into a club that resonates with your passion or personality (like the Matcha society?!) or wish to step out of your comfort zone new (did someone say Hiking society?) or simply take a well-deserved break from studies, we’ve got it all.

Highlights from my personal experiences:
• As Careers Executive of the Accounting Society Manchester (ASM) this year, it has helped build my team skills while organising a variety of events, from workshops to competitions to speaker events.
• Continuing my passion for dance as part of the Advanced Team of the Indian Dance Society, the familiarity of being back on stage, be it performing for another society’s program or external events, makes me reminisce my pre-uni days in the best way possible.
• I love exploring different languages, and attending the British Sign Language society’s sessions in first year offered the perfect mix of knowledge and inclusivity!
• The festive craft sessions by the International Society are an absolute delight to attend! Christmas, Lunar New Year, you name it- it’s the perfect way to enter the festive vibe.

Apart from these, workshops by several academic societies, taster sessions by art and dance societies, and my favourite ‘Slow Friending’ session by the Education Society were some of the events I have enjoyed over the course of my time here.

Starting out at university is hardly easy for anyone, and as an international student, I often wondered whether I’d fit in or have the ‘true university experience’. Truth be told….your ‘true university experience’ doesn’t have to adhere to the rules of someone else’s idealisation. The freedom to explore absolutely anything presents an important choice: it’s in your hands to make your journey worthwhile, for the present and future – to enjoy now, and cherish later.

And my suggestion to do this would be to immerse yourself in the world of societies, and let the tide carry you on.
So, which society are YOU excited about?

Written by Leah Ranjan, a current 2nd year BSc Accounting with IPE student.

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