Joining Societies
Hello everyone, this is Constance! Just like you, I was once a Foundation student at the University of St Andrews. I took the International Year One Science Programme (IYOS) in Biochemistry and am now a fourth-year student. One of my most valuable experiences at the University of St Andrews has been joining various societies, contributing to the university community while making friends, learning new skills, and creating unforgettable memories along the way.
My Experiences Joining Societies at the University of St Andrews
Over my years at University of St Andrews’s, I have joined various societies both as a committee and as a general member (Dance, MMA, Malaysian Society, Biology Society, Music Fund Society). I believe that joining societies is one of the best ways to develop employability skills, build connections, and learn new things. Thus, I’ve decided to join societies that align with my interests and personal development goals.
Joining as a member of a society gives you certain benefits (e.g. discounted or free event tickets) and requires a low level of commitment. You don’t have to join every single event they hosted. The main purpose is to explore what the society is about and to make connections! If you’re hesitant about becoming a committee member, definitely join as a member first.
Joining as a committee member, on the other hand, means taking on a specific role (e.g. Publicity Officer, Treasurer) and involves a higher level of commitment. You become one of the key people responsible for ensuring the success of the society.
Both members and committee members are required to pay the membership fee, which is usually not very expensive depending on the society (e.g. the Malaysian Society charges £3).
Why become a committee member?
The benefits of being a committee member are diverse. Being a committee allows you to contribute to the success of the society and create many fun memories! More importantly, the experience and responsibility look great on your CV. For example, when I was applying for jobs over the summer, what helped me secure employment was my experience as a dance club teacher and Junior Rep in the Malaysian Society. Having experience in both roles allowed me to demonstrate my leadership, cultural awareness, communication, and interpersonal skills important for my summer job as an activity leader at a summer school.
Furthermore, there are opportunities for ‘progression’ to demonstrate your commitment as a committee member. For instance, I went from being a Halls Music Officer in my first year with the Music Fund Society to becoming the Head of Halls Music Officers in my second year.
While not compulsory, I found it helpful to be a member of a club before signing up to join the committee. For example, I joined the Dance Club and Malaysian Society as a member in my first year before applying to become a dance teacher and Junior Rep (Malaysian Society) in my second year. This helped me understand the types of events that are usually held and whether the society suited me.
For most societies, open committee roles will be publicised on their social media accounts during the second semester. An Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held, where you’ll give a short speech explaining why you’re interested in the position you’re applying for. If no one opposes, you’ll be elected to the role. The specific dates for AGMs will always be advertised on social media (like Instagram), so be sure to keep an eye out!
Of course, if you’re eager to become a committee member in your first year, there are always open roles available that you can sign up for. For example, I signed up to be a Halls Music Officer for the Music Fund Society after seeing their advertisement on University Memos, even though I hadn’t known much about the society beforehand. Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) are also usually held during the first semester, similar to AGMs but with fewer positions available.
It’s completely normal to feel nervous about the AGM / EGM, especially if it’s your first time. Honestly, they’re usually very relaxed, and competition isn’t as high as you might think. Plus, you can apply for more than one role, so there’s always an opportunity waiting for you!
Time Committment
If you’re unsure how to balance your workload and manage your time between being a committee member and keeping up with university work, I feel you! This was exactly how I felt during my first year, and I used to worry that I wouldn’t be able to handle the time commitment. However, I later realised that joining societies as a committee member actually improved my grades and productivity!
I can say this confidently because, during my second year, I was the K-pop Dance Club teacher, Junior Representative for the Malaysian Society, Head of Halls Music Officers for the Music Fund, and a member of both the MMA and Biology Societies, all while going to the gym regularly and still achieving first-class grades. In my third year, I decided to take a break and not join any societies. Ironically, during that free time, instead of studying more productively, I ended up procrastinating a lot, which led to worse grades.
While the idea that joining committees can increase productivity might seem counterintuitive, I believe the reason is that having multiple responsibilities forces you to manage your time more effectively, and that makes you more productive overall. Plus, it’s also a fun and rewarding break from academic work!
Committee Member Responsibilities
Honestly, the range of responsibilities and tasks you’ll have as a committee member varies a lot depending on the position and the society you’ve signed up for!
As a Halls Music Officer, I was mainly involved in hosting meetings with various hall managers around campus, inspecting their music rooms for any faulty equipment, purchasing musical instruments, and arranging for their installation. This experience improved my communication, problem-solving, and financial management skills. My other role as a dance teacher helped me develop responsibility, confidence, and interpersonal skills. As for my Junior Rep role for Malaysian Society, I was mainly involved in helping organise events and collecting feedback from undergraduate Malaysian students, which honed my interpersonal and cultural awareness skills.
Depending on your goals and what you hope to develop, check out the role descriptions and decide what suits you best! If you’re not sure, you can always reach out to the societies through their social media accounts or email.
I hope I’ve convinced you that joining societies, whether as a general member or a committee member, is a truly valuable part of your University of St Andrew’s experience. It’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and build employability skills in a supportive environment where it’s perfectly okay to make mistakes. You’ll not only gain practical skills but also meet amazing people, discover new passions, and create memories that will stay with you long after graduation. So go ahead, take that first step and get involved!