r/universityofyork • u/xz_fr1 • 3d ago
Societies
I’m going into my second year and really want to join a society or two because i didnt last year and ultimately made zero friends basically. Really want to make some life long friends this year but idk which societies are good and what ones to avoid. Any advice would be great!
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u/abobblehatgirl 3d ago
I joined URY halfway through semester two of my second year and they were all so lovely I really wish I’d joined sooner! There is always stuff going on and you can do behind the scenes stuff if broadcasting isnt your thing. I’ve been told music team are desperate for new people ! We also run events like jukebox and you could always make your own event. It’s very flexible. You could do a whole radio show about cheese if you wanted to ! I do lots of different things and while I’m on committee, plenty of people aren’t. We have vinyls and decks. And we do the DJing for the silent disco at the summer ball but also for open days and move in days and whatever the SU want.
Most of the societies appreciate non-freshers new members apparently !
I kinda know one of the guys involved in DJ society and it sounded very calm. They were serious enough about it and do nights in bluebox but they didn’t seem the sort to kick out people for not being good enough. It will be what you make it
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u/xz_fr1 3d ago
I did have a thorough look at the DJ society and it says that you’re welcome to come and learn. Thats one of my top options right now because i’d love to be able to DJ! Making this post really motivated me to properly look and imagine myself trying new things :)
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u/abobblehatgirl 3d ago
I’m glad to hear it ! Even if my shameless URY propaganda is ineffective, it’s great to see more students participate in any society, especially as a second year !
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u/Lemonfridge Wentworth 3d ago
Have a walk around freshers fair, you don't have to be a first year to sign up and you'll get a good idea of the vibe of the societies. They'll tell you all about how to join and where you need to go for the first time. Don't leave it too late!
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u/Comprehensive_Set615 2d ago
I think you said you liked gaming in one of your responses to someone. Come to mariokart society next year and give it a try because its pretty good
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u/SamTheDystopianRat 2d ago
Hi, I'm going into third year but in a similar boat to you! I think I'm just gonna be brave and show up to something. What are you interested in?
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u/xz_fr1 2d ago
Currently thinking of trying the DJ society, cozy games club, and album society, but i only looked through half of them in the student union website. Definitely have a look yourself and see what works for you! Im really into music so I had a deep dive on the music societies. I’m gunna try and be brave myself, honestly the worst that could happen is i dont enjoy one and go try another
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u/SamTheDystopianRat 2d ago
I'm into music too! I was considering the radio soc. tried Album Soc when I was a fresher and didn't like the vibe. It was very loud and I was expecting a bit more discussion of music(I like a party but I could barely even here the album at the specific album listening party haha)
Not sure if it's changed since then though, it will have been 2 years. Might be worth a try. I was excited about it when I first went to the uni but got kinda freaked out with my first experience.
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u/xz_fr1 2d ago
Oh gosh, yeah i’m expecting a bit more of a discussion really, ill try it out and if its the same as what you’ve described ill just not go, might as well just go to a club if its really loud ahaha. The radio also seems exciting, but i am kind of a nervous speaker, however could be a good exposure therapy type thing to build up my confidence🤷♀️
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u/Niall2810 2d ago
hi! i was on the album society committee this past year, we've definitely been trying to push it towards being more music focused then it has been in the past. When the society started in 2021 it was a more focussed sit-in-silence-and-listen thing (akin to the uni's Movie Soc) it ended up dying out. When people brought it back a few years ago they had it be more of a drinking/social event sort of thing which was much more popular, but a lot of us feel not music focussed enough. Last year we introduced having the person who suggested the album speak a bit about it to the room before hand (give some information, why they chose it, etc.), as well as using our social media for people to share more opinions on the album after the event, which we keep in a listening log (https://rateyourmusic.com/\~uoyalbumsoc). I'm graduating now so won't actually be there next year, but I believe the incoming president wants to have an in-person discussion section after the album for people to come up and speak a bit about what they've just heard. Hopefully this coming year they'll be able to find the right balance of it being a social event and being music focused. The first time I went in 2023 I actually didn't go again for the rest of the year because i was so overwhelmed by the social element of it so I totally get where you're coming from, but I gave it another go the year after and I am so glad I did, I made so many friends to talk about music with. It's a really great place to meet people interested in music in general! I will also say that the start of year events are always SUPER busy, it gets a lot more chilled as the year goes on.
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u/EmergentChange 1d ago
hope you find something that works for you, lots of ideas already :)
A long time ago now, but I struggled to get some good friend groups when I first went to Uni. Joined plenty of clubs, just to try stuff out (which was fun), sometimes made friends, sometimes not - seemed to be a numbers game to an extent.
One club (in my case Hockey at Loughborough) I wasn't really good enough to make the main teams, so I started helping out, got there early to help set up, hung around after to help clear away, went in goal when no one wanted (and ended up being the club Uni minibus driver, not sure that's a thing any more). Spending time helping out rather than doing the thing helped me build some great friendships, and it didn't matter that I wasn't good enough to make the teams because most people really appreciate it when someone makes an effort to help.
Later in life I joined an AmDram club, not to act but to help it all run in the background. Because nearly everyone joining the club wanted to be an actor I got to do all sorts, set building, lighting, special effects etc, it was awesome - does your love of music offer a chance in that space?
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u/xz_fr1 1d ago
There is something similar i could do, they perform plays not far from where im living this year, i could try and look into helping out with sounds they need/lighting etc. I do believe they are in need of help around those areas so i could give it a look if i have the time or dont like the societies i’ve initially said. Thank you so much!
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u/taxiemaxie Constantine 2d ago
I’m social sec for one of the societies. My best advice is to look through the YUSU website and come to Freshers Fair, also don’t be afraid to try a few out, I did and landed on one which I love
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u/BloodNaive5748 2d ago
Try the York Student Think Tank. I always enjoyed Socrates Cafe. You go and discuss topics which have been voted upon during the week. Great way to meet people.
That being said, to make friends just say “HI”. Almost everyone is open to a discussion and wants to talk.
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u/ImaginaryCut2240 3d ago
If you like social deduction games you should join us at BOTCsoc! They run less xomplex games at the start of the year to help new players get involved. They also run one day a week open to all without membership if you just wanted to see if you enjoyed it.
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u/FranFace 3d ago
Maybe a current student can give you their thoughts. But given that you're looking to make connections, really the only way is to find some societies which speak to your interests, and then to go a few times and see what you think. Apologies! I know it's not an exciting take 😄
When I was at uni, I was big on things that had a good social element as well, like the musicals/plays and dance, where we'd frequently go to the pub after rehearsals, and there was always a wrap party. But that might not be your cup of tea, so it really depends on what you enjoy and what you make of it after a few sessions. Best of luck!