Hi there, I’m Frankie, and I recently finished my first year at the University of York. There are so many things I’ve loved about York, but one of the biggest surprises was how easy it was to find a community. Through my college, societies, sports, and housemates, there always seemed to be somewhere to connect with people.
Colleges
The college system helped me settle into student life before I even moved in. Each flat is assigned two or three STYCs (second/third year contacts), who can show you around the campus and city, and take you along to events during your first week, from club nights and flat mixers to crafting sessions.
Our STYCs were incredibly friendly and helped break the ice between our housemates, organising games for us on our first night and encouraging us to get involved with college life.
One of the best decisions I made was joining one of my college’s sports teams, Constantine Netball! Colleges have teams across a huge range of sports, from football to pool, with many offering various levels of ability. You don’t have to be an experienced athlete to get involved, and it’s a great chance to learn something new. Weekly training, inter-college matches and themed Wednesday socials quickly became some of my favourite parts of the week.
Colleges also organise everything from formal Christmas dinners and the sport awards to craft afternoons and brunches – so there are plenty of ways to get involved, whether you’re competitive, creative, or just looking to meet people.
Societies and sport
With over 200 societies at York, there is genuinely something for everyone. During the first few weeks at university, you can try out different societies at ‘Give-it-a-go’ sessions, often for free. I tried Sewing Society and Crochet Society before joining Drama Society, where I ended up working on the production team for the Freshers’ play (see photo above).
Academic societies are also a brilliant way to engage with people on your course, attend talks and workshops, and explore career opportunities.
If sport is your thing, the university has clubs ranging from rowing and athletics to dance, football and equestrian sports (to name a few). Some competitive teams hold trials, while many clubs welcome newcomers throughout the year or offer development teams.
Societies and sports aren’t just about the activity itself – socials, balls, nights out and trips mean you can build friendships and community around something you already love!
Housemates
For many students, myself included, your housemates become an important part of your university experience. Through the college system, we were able to contact our future housemates before we moved to York, giving us a chance to introduce ourselves beforehand.
During Freshers’ week (aka Welcome Week at York), you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get to know each other through university and college events, and just chatting in the kitchen!
I found that some of my favourite first-year memories happened spontaneously – cooking Christmas dinner together, playing games, exploring York’s cafés and nightlife, or simply sitting around chatting after a long day played a huge part in settling into my new life in York.
Students’ Union
The University of York Students’ Union is another huge part of student life, supporting societies, sports clubs, student media and volunteering.
I volunteered with Teddy Bear Hospital teaching primary-school aged children about health, but there are countless other opportunities, from food donation projects to providing companionship to vulnerable communities in York.
The Students’ Union also runs venues across campus, including student bars like The Glasshouse and The Courtyard, which host events such as quiz nights, karaoke, drag performances and live music. The Kitchen is another popular spot for post-lecture coffee and food (the jackfruit bagels were a lifesaver during exam season!), and creative workshops like painting.
Support
The transition to university isn’t always smooth – I found myself reaching out during the first semester to the university’s student support services.
York’s Open Door service provides free mental-health support that you can self-refer to if you’re struggling with things such as stress, loneliness, bereavement or other mental-health difficulties. York also provides access to TalkCampus, a 24/7 peer-support community where you can connect with other students.
In my experience, the support services were very understanding and helpful, connecting me with further support like the disability service and the local national health services. Your academic supervisor, college and department wellbeing teams are also there to help you find the right support, and point you in the right direction.
My student life at York has been nothing short of incredible – the college community and societies in particular have played a huge part in why I’ve loved my experience, and have led me to make friends for life. My advice to anyone starting at York would be to try as many new things as possible, and throw yourself into the amazing events organised by your college and the Students’ Union!
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