Being Part of a Student Community | Bettina & Jack

Words by Bettina Hernberg & Jack McConnell | Photography by Kathryn Polley

People say that ‘happiness is the only thing that doubles when you share it.’ We agree! Everyone who has been a student knows that it comes with its fair share of ups and downs. While it’s important to have a community and support network around you to make life a little bit more bearable during the rough patches, we believe it’s equally important to have a community around you to share the highs with.

We got to know each other through working with FreshSight, a student-run consultancy for socially conscious organisations. While for both of us, getting involved with the organisation was partly CV-driven to begin with, it quickly became apparent that the benefits of being part of FreshSight were a lot broader.

It speaks for itself that we have both chosen to remain committed to the organisation over the long-term. While the experience is great and it does look good on your CV (something that many soon-to-be graduates might bear in mind) it has been the people, sense of teamwork, support and belonging that has made us both want to stay.

Bettina’s Story

I’m now in my fourth year of university. I came to study in the UK as an international student, so for me, finding a community that would make me feel at home while being away from home was very important. It definitely did not happen overnight, and involved a lot of trial and error. In my first year of university, I joined societies and socials that I could never see myself going to now – but I know that this was an important process. Every time I tried something that didn’t quite feel right for me, I simultaneously got closer to finding what would be right for me, by eliminating one thing off my list of potential interests and things to try at university.

Being part of a community does not necessarily have to mean being in a group of individuals with similar interests to yours. Sometimes it’s just having people around you, whether that’s feeling a sense of belonging when going to class, or simply having a chat with the staff at your local supermarket when doing your weekly shop. Being part of a community can really mean anything, from having supportive friends around you, being part of a society, weekly dinners with your flatmates, or getting to know people in your local neighbourhood shops!

An important point to note is that being part of a community does not mean having to socialise and hang out 24/7. For me – as I’m sure for the many other introverts out there – alone time is not just a form of leisure, but a necessity for me to recharge and re-energise. That being said, for me, being part of a (any) community also means being comfortable enough to kindly say no to events when I need to prioritise my alone time, and knowing that my community will still be there supporting me should I need a shoulder to cry on or a spontaneous dancing buddy for a Saturday night out.

Jack’s Story

Last September, I commenced my time at university as a first-year student. Becoming part of an expansive, diverse student body certainly seemed daunting at the time. I was committed to immersing myself in student life by jumping into societies and sport clubs across the city, to mediate personal growth. What I came to discover was a sense of community which I attached not to the student body as a whole, but rather to the societies and clubs which I grew to know and love.

I am a member of Bedlam, a student theatre at the university. With limited acting experience prior to my move to Edinburgh, I found myself growing in confidence as a result of this involvement, and some of my closest friendships were born here. The inclusive, welcoming culture at this theatre was a brilliant introduction to the student community.

Sport is also a huge part of my life, and the perfect environment in which to build a sense of community; my involvement in various university clubs, such as triathlon, have led to personal growth beyond what I could have imagined before coming here. I am proud of my involvement in wider university life; I have become more confident, sociable and relaxed since coming to Edinburgh, and the sense of community created by these activities are primarily the reason.

I see community as being the friendships and support systems which surround me at university. Whilst the start of university entails an inevitable level of nervousness and anxiety, the communities which surround me have minimised these difficulties, settling a turbulent time in my life into something very enjoyable. The student community is a part of my identity; I am proud of the clubs and societies I am involved with, and the overall community they have created for me has allowed me to thrive at university.

Bettina’s & Jack’s top tips on how to get involved in a student community:

Try try try!

Keep an open mind. Don’t fear if the environment turns out to be wrong for you. At least you’ll know what isn’t right for you, and that you’re one step closer to finding the community that IS right for you.

Go online.

If you’re anxious about face-to-face involvement and socialising, there are many groups and communities online you can take part in.

Don’t overthink it.

Being part of a community does not have to mean constantly going out to socials and spending time with people. You can feel like you’re part of a community just from spending time with the same people in a cafe you like to work from without even ever having exchanged a word with them.

Create your support system.

There’s no denying that university can be a turbulent time in your life. Creating a community which can support you in times of need is pivotal to ensuring a positive experience!

Don’t be afraid!

It is true (especially at the start of university) that everyone is in the same boat. Unfamiliar faces and environments surround you, and the best way to overcome this is seizing the opportunity to meet new people and create a community for yourself.