Finding my place at King’s: How joining a society changed my uni experience

Hi there! I'm Ari, an MSc Neuroscience student. Like many others, I arrived in London not knowing many people. A little bit more context, I'm an international student from Argentina and where I come from societies are not quite a thing at uni. London felt exciting, but also overwhelming. I didn’t quite know where I fit in, until I discovered student societies.

At the start of my first semester, I decided to explore what King’s had to offer. Walking into the KCLSU Welcome Fair at Old Billingsgate was unforgettable. There were hundreds of societies, each filled with people genuinely passionate about something. It honestly gave me a feeling of wanting to do everything at once: start running, become a DJ, and join neuroscience-related groups.

In the end, I signed up for the Neurotechnology Society, little did I know how that would shape my experience at King’s.

At first, attending events felt slightly intimidating. Turning up alone, not knowing anyone, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But that feeling didn’t last long. Before each session, I often felt a mix of curiosity and nerves. After each one, I left feeling energised, more confident, and surprisingly connected. The organisers were key, sometimes you need someone to start a conversation to loosen up a little and that’s the special part of a society.

What I didn’t expect was how much the society would go beyond academics. Yes, I gained new perspectives on my degree and discovered areas of medicine I hadn’t previously considered but, more importantly, I found a community.

During stressful periods in our studies, doubts and fears are inevitable. Being part of the society gave me a support system. People who understood what I was going through, both academically and personally. Conversations didn’t just stay within lecture topics; they extended into shared experiences, ideas, and friendships.

One of the most memorable moments came when I attended a Neurology and Neurosurgery Conference organised in part by the society. A few years earlier, I had read Do No Harm by Henry Marsh, never imagining I would one day hear him speak in person. Sitting there, listening to someone who had once felt so distant and inspirational, made everything feel more real, and more possible.

Balancing society life with studies isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely manageable. For me, it meant choosing events intentionally rather than trying to attend everything. Even one session a week was enough to make a difference. Instead of feeling like an extra commitment, it became something I looked forward to — a break from routine that actually helped me recharge.

Also, tracking back at the beginning, when choosing to join a society it is worth spending some time choosing which societies do you actually want to commit with. Some of them might be super interesting for a hobby and others will have more to do with your career. My advice is to choose no more than two and if it is a combination of both your academic goals and hobbies, that’s the best aim.

Looking back, joining the Neurotechnology Society didn’t just add to my uni experience, it grounded it. It gave me the confidence to speak to new people, clarity in my career direction, and moments I will always remember.

If you’re unsure about joining a society, or worried about going alone, I understand that feeling. The truth is, most people there feel the same way at first. You don’t need to have everything figured out, and you definitely don’t need to do it perfectly.

There are so many ways to find your place at King’s. Societies are just one of them, but they can make a huge difference. You don’t have to feel alone at university, and sometimes, all it takes is showing up once to realise that.