Societies are one of those things that seem to crop up time and time again when people are recounting their university experiences.
Watching your older brother collapse on the floor in fits of laughter as he describes the time he managed to catch the golden snitch whilst playing quidditch with the Harry Potter Society is likely leave you rolling your eyes and planning a quick get away. However, are you not a little intrigued as to what all the fuss is about?
From Game of Thrones to Longboarding, Kung Fu to Wine, societies really do offer a huge variety of opportunities to all students and may have paramount impact on the memories you take away from university.
It is likely that your university will have a Fresher's Fair where each society has its own stall, allowing you to have a look around and see if anything catches your fancy.
However be warned- this is often a chaotic event so make sure you don't get lured in to joining something that you're not really interested in because they offer you cake or give you a free pen.
That said, many students join a society on a whim and end up having an amazing time so if free cake is your thing, don't hold back.
Copious amounts of students also claim to have made the majority of their friends through societies. This is hardly surprising considering that you have chosen to surround yourself with people who have similar interests to yourself.
University of East Anglia student Caroline Neilson joined the UEA Angels Cheerleading, having never before attempted the sport.
She told HuffPost UK: "I was terrible at the beginning and it was honestly not my type of sport whatsoever. However I'm really happy I joined and stuck with it because I met so many amazing girls there, one now being my best friend whom I'm living with next year.
"I think first year will always be a little hectic as everything is new but I'd say just go for it and try as many things as you can!"
A society may also provide the perfect pathway to a future career, offering opportunities that would otherwise be very hard to come by.
University of Exeter student Elizabeth Menshikova joined three media societies at Fresher's Fair and has certainly not regretted her decision. She says: "Although I was always interested in working in media, it has been a truly life changing experience.
"Not only I have met some incredible people, but I have also had the chance to work in a very inspirational environment with lots of media connections and contacts, making my career goals seem within reach."
With youth unemployment rates still high, joining a society could be just what you need to stand out to employers.
Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library says: “Recruitment professionals are looking for candidates that can offer something more to their organisations.
"A degree can certainly play a valuable role in securing an interview, but once a candidate is in front of a potential employer, they need to demonstrate passion and other business attributes that can’t be taught in a classroom.”
Joining a society could be a way to develop essential skills required for the workplace and prove to employers that you are more than just a grade on a sheet of paper, having actively sought to develop your CV and life experiences.
