Is it worth joining a society at university?

Hi, I’m Alison. I am in my third year at the University of Dundee, and I have been part of the Dundee University Ladies’ Hockey Club (DULHC) for my whole time here. I played hockey previously in school, but in my last two years, I didn’t enjoy it as much. Due to Covid, games/training could not go ahead, so school hockey at home really lost its momentum.

Why did I choose to join a society?

When coming to University, I was keen to join a society or club for the social aspect, but I didn’t know what to go for. I didn’t really consider hockey because I hadn’t enjoyed it previously, and I didn’t want to commit to something where I needed 100% attendance at all matches and training. I needed something with flexibility so that my studies were still my priority, but I still wanted to be part of a social/active community.

Two of my flatmates were keen to join the hockey club, so when we attended the University’s Sports Fair, I went with them to the hockey stall. Sometimes it can be quite intimidating to start something new, especially if you don’t know anyone yet. However, everyone there was super friendly, so I decided to sign up. I certainly was not keen to do anything seriously competitive, but I was reassured that within DULHC, there were a range of teams and abilities. Many girls chose to play socially, and others at higher levels and more competitively – so I slotted right into where I belonged within the 4 teams, with people of similar ability and intentions to me. (At the time there were only 4, but now, DULHC boasts a total of 5 teams!)

Why should YOU join a Society?

The social aspect: you could make friends for life!

I attended the ‘Give it a go’ session in first year and I met many new individuals. 3 years down the line, these people are some of my best friends! Joining a club or society gives you the chance to meet people outside of your degree with similar interests to you. Being on a team and attending socials means that you spend a lot of time bonding with these people and forming a unique connection that is unmatched by any other experience.

Joining a society also means that you are part of a community and get to attend social events. At DULHC, training is held sporadically throughout the week. We train in our teams and have events organised within the teams, such as bring-a-dish or team pres. You therefore really get to know your team well. We have weekend matches and Wednesday British University & Colleges Sport (BUCS) matches – after a Wednesday match, win or lose, we attend the sports night out on a Wednesday night (Liqwed!). Our social secretaries pick a different costume theme every Wednesday (cowboys, dress as your type, Where’s Wally… you name it!) which makes things super fun, and it is therefore easier to spot each other in the club.

A special mention should also be given to our Derby Day which involves socialising and playing against the Dundee Men’s Hockey Club, which is always super funny. We also participate in Varsity, where all of the Dundee sports clubs play against Abertay University’s sports clubs! It is therefore clear that DULHC get up to all sorts of affairs.

Lifestyle aspect: good for your physical and mental health

The other aspect of joining a sport is that it easily incorporates fitness into your lifestyle. As a full-time student, I sometimes struggle to find the time to go to the gym or go for a run on my own accord. When you know you have a match or training on a particular day, you end up doing exercise without even having to set time aside for it – and you have fun with your friends whilst doing it! Teams will also often organise team runs or organise to go to the gym together. On top of training and matches, DULHC provides us with loads of different opportunities to keep fit and healthy.

From a perspective regarding mental health, being in a society is a pastime away from studies; a way to relax, get some fresh air, have a laugh with friends and unwind. You need to manage a work-life balance as a student, otherwise, Uni life can become a lonely, dull place. Without the aspect of a club/society, this balance can be harder to achieve.

Opportunities with a society: employability, discounts, committee roles, charities

Another reason why you may wish to join a club is for the opportunities it provides you. Firstly, it’s something you can always include on your CV or mention when you apply for jobs! Belonging to a club shows your ability to time manage between studies, and it implies that a person is outgoing and gets on easily with others.

Furthermore, you can get discounts and freebies by being part of a society! DULHC is sponsored by Aura Night Club and The Braes pub. All members receive exclusive deals such as discounted drinks and food from The Braes, and free entry to Aura before certain times.

Finally, if you really end up becoming an avid member of your sport/society, you can always apply for a committee position, which provides you with further opportunities. As of September 2023, I took on the position of social media coordinator at DULHC. I benefit from a free gold pass to our sponsored Club Tropicana, which gives me many discounts on drinks and free entry to the club (I can honestly say that this has saved me HUNDREDS!).

As social media co-ordinator, I oversee the club’s social media accounts, particularly the society’s Instagram account. I update it regularly with social events, team fixtures and results. I also take pride in sharing/spreading awareness of any charity events going on and helping other societies raise money for donations. Similarly to other Dundee societies/clubs, DULHC also hold lots of charity events and fundraisers. In particular, we have our annual CoppaFeel/Pink night in support of breast cancer education and early diagnosis. We also have many individuals take part in marathons for fundraising, and we encourage participation in blood drives that take place at the Institute of Sport and Exercise (ISE).

I work very closely with certain individuals, such as our club’s social secretaries, who organise all the social events within the club, and I post about them. This position has not only saved me lots of money, but I get a lot of satisfaction out of it when I look through the work that I’ve done. It has been very challenging at times, but I have really learnt a lot from it, and I am excited to take all my knowledge into the next semester. As an individual who has lots of media experience, this is another aspect to add to enrich my CV with. It has also allowed me to make some amazing new friends within the community that I did not get the chance to socialise with beforehand.

Is it worth it?

So, to answer the ultimate question – is it worth being part of a society? I think there is only one obvious answer. Yes, of course it is! From socialising, opportunities and freebies to mental and physical wellbeing, a society/sport has the power to enhance your entire University experience. If hockey isn’t your ideal sport, the University of Dundee has an endless list of different societies you can join. My advice is to JOIN ASAP!

Find out more about DULHC

Alternatively, find other societies and clubs on DUSA’s Society A-Z and the Sports Union webpages