My experience joining a society at Kingston University

Explore what's available

A great place to start is the Kingston Students' Union website. You can browse the wide range of societies and sports clubs on offer. Most groups also have Instagram pages or other social media accounts, which they use to share details about upcoming events, taster sessions and how to get involved. You can find links to their social media accounts on the Students' Union website, or by checking out the accounts followed by the Kingston Students' Union Instagram page, @kingstonstudents.

Why I chose cheerleading

I had a look and decided I was interested in cheerleading and followed their Instagram account. I then visited the Welcome Fair, which I would really recommend as all the societies and sports clubs are there. You can see what kind of things they do and meet the people who run them or are a part of them. They will also let you know how to join.

For cheerleading and all the sports clubs, no experience is needed, so it is a perfect way to try something new. I attended the two cheerleading taster sessions to learn the dance and have a go at the stunts and jumps before the try-outs which ran very similar to the taster sessions. Remember, if you can’t find the society you want you can always create your own!

What I've gained being part of a team

Once on the cheerleading team, I went to training once a week in first year and twice a week in second year. It was really fun, a good way to exercise and to make friends. We often had training sessions with themes like Christmas pyjamas, camo and cowboy. We train for competitions which are great days out on the weekend. This typically happens twice a year. After the competitions we have more fun sessions, learning skills the next level up and bring a friend to cheer. Plus, varsity day where we do a few skills on the sidelines and make signs to cheer on the teams.

The social side of university 

Every week there is a social on a Wednesday. All the other sports clubs also have a social on the same day so there are often joint socials, another way to make friends. The local student bar, The Mill, sponsors many of the sports teams so the socials are often held there and Wednesday is a student night where the drinks are very cheap. Some of my favourite socials have been bowling, jungle juice, themed nights at the pub and Christmas dinner.

I would really recommend joining society or sports club as it is a great way to make friends outside of your halls, outside of your course and to try new things.

Discover the different clubs and societies offered by Kingston Students' Union, or maybe even consider creating your own!