Starting college can be nerve-racking. Going into a new environment where you know no one, living with people you don’t know and potentially moving to a new county miles away from your home can all be a bit much to take in. One of the most essential parts of first year is finding your community, friends who help you adjust and share memories with, and what better way to find those friends than by meeting them in a club or society.
For many students, societies and clubs are where they meet their closest friends. Even if you know no one going in, you immediately know that you and everyone in that room have at least one common hobby or interest. Whether it be a shared interest in rugby or poker, clubs and societies are the perfect way to meet people with similar interest to you.
Cillian Henry, member of the volleyball club at University of Galway said, “For me, volleyball has become a good social outlet and routine. It’s great being able to show up at a set time and see friends, catch up and do something we all mutually enjoy.”
While keeping up with your old hobbies is important, starting college is an opportunity to try something new and experience new clubs and societies. First year is the perfect time to broaden your horizons and try a new sport or hobby and learn a new interest you never knew you had. If you ever wanted to play more rare sports like water polo or lacrosse, college is the perfect opportunity to start.
Universities will offer a huge variety of clubs and societies to pick from, from popular hobbies to niche interests you wouldn’t even expect to be an option. Many of the societies can also be about a particular movie franchise or show, such as the Star Wars Society, or Dr Who Society at University of Galway, or Anime and Manga Society at ATU.
The same can be said for sports clubs, as many of the clubs available in college offer a variety of sports you may never have been able to take part in before. First years may be weary to start these as they have no experience, but new members are always welcome to these clubs regardless of their experience. There are clubs for sports such as rugby and soccer, as well as more uncommon sports like kayaking, archery and weightlifting.
Societies can also be a source of finding your college community. There are many societies specifically for a certain group of people to bond with each other and develop friendships with people in your community, some societies being the African Caribbean Society and LGBT / Bród Soc and Christian Society, all offered at both ATU and UG. Adam Skilton, Health and Accesability Officer for the Bród Society at UG said, "It's like having a mini community, you get to be a part of something bigger than yourself. It's a way to get creative and try to figure out what people would enjoy."
Whether it be keeping up with an old sport or hobby or trying something brand new, joining clubs and societies as a first year is one of the best decisions you can make at the start of your college experience. It’s one of the best ways to gain a hobby, make friends and learn something new about yourself.
