Being a first-year student is an exciting, yet nerve-wracking experience. You may feel like a fish out of water, hurled into a new environment and trying to figure out exactly where you belong. One of the best ways to ease into this transitional phase of life is by joining a society. At the University of Pretoria (UP), societies are led by students and cover a wide range of interests, including social causes, politics, cultural celebrations, and religious communities. In most cases, joining a society can be the lifeline to surviving your first year.
Acing Academics
Academic societies provide one of the best support systems for your studies. They are a useful link between students and their peers, mentors, and lecturers who provide valuable assistance in navigating academic challenges and coursework. They are especially useful in easing the transition from high school to university by organising workshops and providing valuable study methods and tips to ensure that you ace your academics in this more intense academic environment. Societies such as UP Women In Law (UPWIL) take students a step further by helping them strengthen their academic portfolios. UPWIL connects their members with women who are independent founders of law firms, and they collaborate with ENS Africa (Africa’s largest law firm) to conduct mock interviews with feedback from some of the best lawyers the continent has to offer.
A Taste of Home
Cultural societies celebrate diversity and provide opportunities to share customs, literature, and art, therefore allowing you to feel a sense of belonging in an unfamiliar environment. Annually, UP hosts an International Students Day where students, both local and international, showcase their cultures through exhibitions, cuisine, song, dance, and poetry. Additionally, societies such as UP’s award-winning cultural ensemble, Ovuwa, celebrate indigenous African culture through traditional artistic forms of expression. They hold various concerts throughout the year that are dedicated to preserving African culture. Being part of a cultural society not only gives you a taste of home but also fosters cultural awareness and appreciation.
Communal Collaboration
Social societies are the heart of campus life. They offer you a quick, effective way to find your tribe. Whether you have an interest in sports, community development through volunteer work, social justice, or even just a niche hobby, you are guaranteed to find your fit. Social societies are also known to host the most vibrant festivals. Most notably, UP&OUT organises an annual Pride Parade where members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies come together to celebrate and show their pride.
Nourish Your Spirit
It is important to find things that ground you in the hustle and bustle of life at UP. If you are a religious person, a religious society not only provides a space for you to strengthen your faith but also connects you with a support system that understands your beliefs and values. Participation in prayer groups and interfaith dialogues may help you to find solace amid academic and social pressures.
Pick Your Party
Political societies are more than just engaging in passionate debates and echoing the sentiments of important historical figures. They enable you to engage in enlightening conversations that foster tolerance for diversity and an in-depth understanding of different viewpoints. Furthermore, they play an integral role in providing students with important skills such as leadership opportunities that allow them to organise events around campus, run political campaigns, and chair debates that give students a platform to argue in a persuasive yet respectful manner.
The value of joining a club extends beyond your university journey – it can help shape your community, career, and personal growth. As a student, societies can be the difference between feeling like a visitor on campus and feeling like you are a part of a thriving community.
Visual: Mpho-Makwela
