Student Societies: What's Happening? (A rant about University life)

(Pic from here. You can also read a good article on joining societies through this link.)

Let's talk student societies- mainly the ones relating to recreation and hobbies. I think they provide an amazing opportunity to meet new people (for fun), make plenty of friends that share a common interest, try something new and be able to express yourself! There is also most likely at least one society for everyone.

(Pic from here)

During Orientation Week, I was that odd person that signed up for more societies than she could manage. I thought it was such an awesome idea to join a society! Especially from someone like myself who probably didn't have much of a social life or commitment to co-curricular activities in high school due to competitive sport, training, studying, etc, etc (stop it with the excuses, Jess).

However, after some time, I found myself a little stuck and I didn't quite expect societies and university culture to be the way it was - and by that I mean that they're a little... lacking or struggling in some way? Perhaps this is occurring only from my perspective of my own uni but sometimes I feel as though it could be linked to a bigger issue and the changing lifestyle of Sydney-siders... I didn't expect to hear so much about funding problems, organisational issues, unnecessary stress on the society executives / committee and for goodness sakes I really didn't expect the massive number of BBQs / pizza lunches on campus (every day!) especially from cultural societies (I want to try your cuisine, not a typical Aussie BBQ).

I could act really political by criticising the "higher-ups" or addressing the way fundings are handled and all that but to be honest I'm not in a position to do so (nor do I know exactly what's going on in that respect). I'm just a first-year student who was probably too excited and expecting too much...

(Pic from here)

Yet in a way, I think we (the students) are part to blame. Why?

I could probably explain this through a very brief story (which I hope doesn't bore you because story-telling and recounts are a huge snooze for me). So there was an event hosted by a society at my university involving a screening of the new Avengers: Infinity War movie (which was going to be released in about a month's time). Everyone from students and friends from outside the uni were allowed to come along to see the movie and that's exactly what I decided to do. I thought it would be a great opportunity to take my high school friends out- especially those I hadn't seen since high school. However, their responses mainly consisted of:

• "Sorry I might have work that night"
• "I think I have an assignment due that week"
• "It's too far"
• "I don't really like Marvel/Disney/Films/etc"
• "I don't know..."
• "You joined a society? Why would you do that?"

And these responses were the same for almost every other event I invited someone to. I ended up taking my sister or simply made new friends at the event (which isn't a bad thing to do of course!). 

Usually I would say to these responses, "whatever, do what you want" and accept it as it is whether they are being genuinely busy, stressed or just lazy. Yet these last few times I couldn't help but feel a little irritated. A little at my friends, but mainly at this niggling feeling that young people like myself are not approaching new opportunities, nor are they making active effort to at least negotiate with the people they talk to. It's unhelpful and may hurt people a little, especially those who are sensitive and deeply value their friendships. 

1. Since when was it okay for teenagers to value casual work and study over seeing a close friend? This question of course doesn't apply to those who are actually financially troubled or struggling immensely with their academics. 
2. Since when was "I don't know" a more acceptable response than "I'll see what I can do"? 
3. And what's wrong with joining a society? Why would you even ask me that?

All I'm saying is that the attitude towards societies is changing because uni students aren't into what they used to be into.  These days, people rock up to university, go to their class, then they're out of there as soon as possible... This kind of situation and attitude is detrimental to uni culture and the student societies to which I really don't want to see become the norm.

It would be nice to see people take even a slight interest, effort and support for these societies. They're here for the students, they are run by the students and they keep our stressful student lives fun and interesting. For most university students, it may even be the only time where they can truly enjoy themselves and share the joy of sharing a hobby with someone while also in their youth... because afterwards they will become full-time working adults with a family to raise...

Anyway, just another daily rant. Remember to keep writing :)
- Jess ☕