… by Loana / from Hermannsburg, Germany / BSc Mathematics / 3rd Year (UG)
Hello everybody, today I’d like to talk about MathSoc and what it has to offer.
Who would’ve thought that Maths people can be sporty! As of this year, MathSoc has seven teams registered within the intramural leagues (meaning that the league is organised by the university): two men’s football, one women’s football, one women’s netball, one mixed hockey and two mixed basketball teams. The intramural option is a less competitive way to play sport compared to the main university clubs, and there’s no experience needed. I’m part of the women’s football team and am the only one who’s ever played competitive games when I was still in school. But this is not a must have, as we are the team with the greatest turn out every week.Every other week the Academic Officer on the MathSoc committee organises an academic event. One of these are the bitesize lectures, where students can talk about something maths related they love. It’s a great opportunity to develop your presentation skills or learn something new.
The best thing about MathSoc is the involvement of so many students from different years. This makes it possible (besides the fun of sports) to network and receive top tips about the courses you want to take, possible flats, or internships. You might be in first year and it looks like it’s ages into the future to think about some of these things, but it can arrive faster than expected. But don’t you worry; MathSoc has you covered. Each year students share their experience during their summer internships – the best way to get some inspirations.
Although it’s a ‘Maths’ Society it is not limited to only mathematicians. Every now and then you meet an engineer, physician or even linguist at an event. Everyone’s welcome!
Another part of MathSoc are the sponsors. So far MathSoc is sponsored by Jane Street, Metaswitch, Newtyne, TeachFirst and TPP. Usually, they organise events which can help you in several ways: a workshop to improve your CV, a pub quiz with free food and drinks etc.. During the events you can find out more about their internships or their grad jobs and ask them questions about their company or working life in general.
Best of all are the weekly socials, including pub quizzes, pub crawls, movie nights, casual meet ups in Vodka Revolution (MathSoc’s official social sponsor) or the famous MathsBall. The latter is the best way to finish off the academic year. Everyone is all dressed up and you get to experience a ceilidh (a traditional Scottish dance) with all the friends you’ve made during the year. It’s something you don’t want to miss.
If you want to pull the strings behind the scenes, you should become part of the committee. At the end of each academic year an AGM is held to vote for the committee. There are several positions: get creative as publicity officer or look after the famous MathsHub, or organise the general interest talk. Even Freshers can get involved as MathSoc looks for a First Year Rep at the beginning of each academic year.
I was Sports Secretary this year and enjoyed every moment of it. I got to know so many lovely people and found a second home at MathSoc.
There is so much more I could talk about, but why don’t you make up your own mind? Check out the Facebook page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/EdinMathSoc/
Hope to see you at one of these events!