Clubs and Societies in College

Image Source: Babylon Radio

University clubs and societies are an integral part of many college students’ lives and as a commerce student in UCD, they have definitely had a positive impact on my college life. A place to make new friends, learn new skills and experience new events. Nearly every student will join a club or college society at least once in their time and in my opinion, there is no better way to enhance your university experience than showing up to freshers week with an open mind, going to the freshers tent and joining as many as you can. It will give you events to attend, an outlet from the academic side to college and more importantly, free stuff! My first memory of being a student in UCD is attending the Iron Stomach event during freshers week in my first year; run by the Commerce and Economics Society (c&e) where members are challenged to eat and drink outrageous amount of horrible food and drinks in front of a huge crowd on the freshers stage. This was the first of many highlights to my student experience that have been brought through university clubs and societies. In this article I will discuss a club and a college society that I am in, as well as university clubs and societies in other Dublin universities that I would recommend joining next freshers week.

Image Source: C&E LinkedIn

Commerce and Economics Society (c&e)

The commerce and economics society in UCD is Ireland’s oldest and largest business society. Although it was set up of course as a business society, I would regard it more as a business and student experience society. It provides talks to attend, events to experience and so much more. You will find it hard to find many students walking around the lake in UCD that haven’t heard of the c&e, or even many that aren’t in it. It is the first society that I joined as a student in UCD and the one that I have most enjoyed. I won’t lie, when I first joined during freshers week it may well have been because of the free pizza that was being offered at their freshers stand, but I have re-joined for the following two years for the enhancement that it brings to my own student life.                                                                                              Image Source: C&E Facebook

C&e bring many people either into UCD or in for online business and entrepreneurship talks that are very insightful and interesting for its members. Most recently , on the 11^th of February they hosted a virtual entrepreneurs night in which they got UCD graduates and past members of the c&e who are now running their own businesses to give a talk to their members. These are always a major highlight for students. They also run charity campaigns in which all members can be involved, for example in 2020 they ran a very successful Movember campaign which raised over €9,000 for the Movember charity. The main event in many UCD students’ years is the Comm Ball which is run by the c&e society and is the reason many people join the society. A black tie event for just students in a hotel which is always one of the best nights of the year. Click here to see a video a former student posted of the event. This event alone is enough to persuade anyone to join and is one of the main reasons I again would strongly urge all students to join UCD’s Commerce and Economics Society.

Image Source: UCD RFC Twitter

UCD Rugby Club

I joined UCD RFC as a fresher in 2018 and have since played for both the U20’s and 1^st team and it has been the best thing I have done in college. Coming into university, I was tempted to join a non-university club with my friends from school but was urged to play for my university and join a university club and it was the best advice I could have been given. I have got the opportunity to make friends from a range of courses and years and got the opportunity to represent my university all around the country and abroad, playing matches against clubs and universities up and down the country. It has given me the opportunity to do something I love, while making connections and friendships that I will have and that will stand for life.                            Image Source: Irish Rugby

Having joined UCD rugby club, it has given me a sense of pride in where I study that I don’t think I would have had at all had I not joined a club in college. It has given me experiences that I definitely wouldn’t have had had I not joined a club and of course, it has given me friendships that I would not have made had I not joined a university club. It has also given me an opportunity to play at a very high level, while still enjoying what I do. I have represented UCD in a colours match against trinity in front of thousands of people which was one of the highlights of my time in college. I have been on tour with the rugby club to Canada in 2019. This trip, a trip you will never experience anything like if you don’t join a club, was arguably the greatest experience of my life. Two weeks playing a sport you love and touring around a country across the Atlantic with forty of your closest friends, is something that only joining a club can bring you. Joining a club has been the best decision I’ve made since starting in university and is something that I would highly recommend all students considering.

Dublin University Clubs and Societies I Admire

There are many societies across all of Dublin’s major universities that I admire and that I would definitely think about joining if I was studying in these universities. I am going to give a club or society suggestion for students entering Trinity, DCU and DIT as I feel that no matter what university you study in, or intend to study in, clubs and societies are a great way to enhance your student life and to create experiences you never would without them.

Dublin University Croquet Club                                                             Image Source: Croquet Ireland

For students either studying in trinity, or considering studying in trinity, the croquet club is one that I would highly recommend considering. I know what you’re thinking…. “is croquet not a game for posh old men?” and although the answer in general is probably yes, it’s not in trinity. This is a very social club that attracts all sorts of people from all sorts of courses and is one that I can assure you will be enjoyable and worthwhile to join.

DIT Kite and Wakeboarding Society                                           Image Source:DIT Kite&Wake Facebook

This again is a college society that many people would see on freshers’ week and walk straight past, but it is one that will give you experiences that you won’t get without it. For anyone with an interest in water sports or even just the outdoors, why wouldn’t you consider joining. It will give you the opportunity to get out and try something new with friends, as well as getting the opportunity to go on trips around Ireland which will bring memories for a lifetime.

DCU Paintball Society                                                                   Image Source: DCU Paintball Facebook

Another college society for those who love the outdoors. This society gives members a chance to go to paintball events every 2 weeks and even go on regular trips. Again, as with all societies it provides an opportunity to do something different and a chance to make new friends and see places you wouldn’t have had the opportunity to without it.