In the incredibly fast-paced university life, our studies often take all of our focus in our lives, which makes it easy to overlook the impact that societies and sports can have on our overall well-being and personal growth.
So, let’s take a closer look at why taking part in these activities is so important.
Mental well-being
Stress relief
Participating in a society or sport provides a healthy outlet for stress, allowing us to cope with our daily difficulties in a safe environment. Whether it’s joining a sports team or creative club, these activities can act as a mental reset, allowing us to recharge and approach our challenges with a new, refreshed perspective.
Community
Humans have been known to be incredibly social creatures, so it’s not surprising that finding ourselves in a community can be amazing for our mental well-being. Establishing connections with like-minded people can reduce feelings of isolation and homesickness, it also creates a supportive network which can help promote our mental resilience.
Time management skills
Balancing academic responsibilities with multiple commitments requires being resourceful and managing time effectively. Learning how to juggle through these different activities can be incredibly difficult but once we’ve gotten the hang of it our organizational skills can help us continue to maintain a work-life balance that we’ll definitely need in the future.
Personal growth
Teamwork
Many social groups and sports will involve some kind of collaboration of a team, which provides us with leadership and teamwork opportunities. This can range from leading a club or collaborating on a project together. These experiences can enhance our interpersonal skills, fostering our personal growth and preparing us for the future.
Teamwork can also teach us how to establish strong connections with others and social networking, by allowing ourselves to be more open to each other and creating relationships we wouldn’t have otherwise.
Diverse perspectives
Social groups and sports gives us the opportunity to work with people we might not normally interact with. It provides a safe environment to learn more about other’s histories and stories. This can broaden our understanding of others, promoting healthy cultural learning and personal development.
Skill building
From public speaking in debate clubs, to strategizing in DND, social groups and sports provide a platform for developing skills catered to our interests. These acquired skills enrich our personal portfolios and CVs as well as contributing to a more well-rounded and adaptable personal skill set.
Physical well-being
Active lifestyle
Participating in a sport specifically can be incredibly helpful in making sure that we’re staying active throughout the weeks while we’re busy studying. Our physical health is crucial for ensuring that we’re happy in our environments as well as allowing us to stay productive.
Routines
A social group or sport gives us a structured schedule in our lives, with regular practices, meetings and social events. The consistent routine will create a discipline in our lives. The sense of order can also positively affect our academic and personal habits, making it easier for us to become more well-rounded and structured in our learning.
Worcester Student Life 