5 Weird and Wonderful Societies You Never Knew Existed

At University, joining a society is probably the best way to meet people who share similar interests with you.

Forget about the days when unis were restricted to the old school societies focused on the three C’s (courses, cultures, countries), politics or religion. Now a days, students are free to embrace the weirdest of interests and hobbies, and the most wonderful. What I am trying to say is there is something for everyone.

20 Minute Society – Newcastle University.

This spontaneous society is one for the students who want a quick adrenaline boost. Every week unscheduled texts are sent out anonymously to the students, which the address a random location. Members then have to get there within 20 minutes.

Past outings included paint-balling and go-karting, going as far as mystery holidays with past destinations such as Amsterdam, Prague and Dublin.

Stitch ‘n’ Bitch – Leeds University.

This society up in Leeds up in Leeds is pretty self explanatory. A group of crafty people get together to learn a new skill and share their love for the craft they do. And of course bitch a little bit…

Jailbreak Society – University of Warwick.

So basically, a jailbreak is an event for charity which challenges groups of students to get as far away from “jail” as possible – jail being their uni campus. Jailbreaks are very popular in many universities across the country however Warick tops the cake.

Limited to 36 hours to pave their great escape, Warick students usually are restricted from using any method of transport to help them. This might come as a surprise but some students have ended up in Poland, Morocco, and even New York

The Durham University Assassins’ Society.

The university of Durham’s “Assassins Guild” consider themselves as “one of the most active assassin societies in the world”. Nothing to worry about, they don’t really go out and silently kill people.. Members of this society participate in activities involving mock assassination – participants are given targets to hunt down and take out with mock weapons. The players are also targets, so it is a game that all boils down to stealth and agility.

As well as putting on multiple contests across the period of the year, they also have a healthy portion of socials along the way. They aren’t always pretending to kill each other..

The Shelia and her Dog Society – University of Cambridge.

One of my personal favourites – The Shelia and Her Dog society located at the university of Cambridge might just be the wackiest university society there is. This society will put you on a one way no return ticket straight back to your childhood – as soon as a meeting starts, at the drop of a plushy penguin, members immediately have to act like a 6 year old, and it is strictly forbidden to mention anything grown up.

At these meetings expect a lot of cake, tea and book reading in silly voices.