Wednesday 05-09-2018 - 16:57

Your Societies and Development Officer Anna shares their experience of being part of a society.

 

“Being introverted meant that the thought of going out somewhere just to talk to people terrified me. Luckily, during my first year, my flatmate encouraged me to attend Fresher’s Fair with them. At first, I was a bit apprehensive about going, but one of the Gaming Societies’ committee members encouraged me to give them five minutes at their taster session and before I knew it, I’d been there four hours! As soon as I arrived at that first session, I met others who had similar interests to me and I felt at ease knowing there were other people who shared the same fears about fitting in and making friends. Whilst there, I met up with some other students who were interested in trying out the Anime Society, so we agreed to go together. It ended up that the Anime Society was where I felt I had really found somewhere that I fit in. It was everything I loved in one room, from the epic debates over sub or dub (look it up!), to the tips and skill trades in the world of cosplay - I’d truly hit weeb paradise! Before I’d arrived at university, I had always loved anime and the Japanese culture, but there were never really anyone else to talk to about it. By joining my societies, I made that network of friends, which enabled me to talk about all the things I really loved!

During my first term at university the Gaming Society were looking for a new committee member as one of theirs dropped out, the people I’d made friends with encouraged me to put myself forward for the role, as they believed I’d be good at it. This was a massive step forward for me as before then I would never have dreamed of putting myself out there like that! And throughout the election I found I was actually having fun and through that made even more friends - including the people I was running against! Although I didn’t win that election, the experience propelled me on to run to become the chair of Anime at the end of my first year - a position I went on to hold for a year and a half!

Of course, though everyone has their limits, I found mine not long after becoming the Anime Chair. I loved the societies I’d been a part of, however running them was a different thing! I learned quickly that people depended on me and that I had to be a leader - again I found myself scared. The first months were tough, I didn’t believe in my own abilities as chair, and I almost gave up. I decided to go to The Union for some help and advice. I sat down with the Opportunities team and soon had the society, my committee and myself back on track. By the end of the year we even won an award! That then spurred me on to run bigger and better events in my final year on committee. It was through the friendships I’d made, I ended up running a collaborative trip with the Gaming Society and Anime Society to Birmingham Comic Con. Seeing the amount of fun all the members had there was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had; only to be topped by us winning a collaborative award for that trip! I was rewarded in my own way at the end of the year also, when The Union recognised me for an outstanding contribution to volunteering award! None of which would have been possible if I hadn’t been in societies.

Without joining societies, I would never have grown as a person or become more confident in myself - to me being part of a society was having a family away from home. I know that I’ve said a lot, so I’ll sum everything up into some top tips:

1 - Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to be afraid; everyone is in the same position!

2 - Make sure you put your studies first! Your societies won’t forget you if you take a few weeks off around exams and deadlines

3 - Get on a committee! It is hands down the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Without it I wouldn’t be your SocDev officer and I certainly would have the set of skills I have.

4 - Go to Fresher’s Fair! If I hadn’t gone I would never have attended my first social and so wouldn’t have found my place and made an abundance of friends.

 

Check out more of Anna's blogs on their Officer page.

See other students hints tips and blogs.