Society spotlight: GeogSoc – a freebie we should all have

GeogSoc is the largest academic society at Sussex with events every week. Membership is completely free, so if you haven’t signed up yet here’s every reason why you should.

We’re massive

GeogSoc has massively grown over the past few years, becoming the largest academic society with 125 members this year and 10 on committee. Everyone knows a GeogSoc life is a happy life. Although we love the occasional hike up a hill, we never say no to the odd drink or two in town with the whole society.

Weekly events

This term has been super busy for GeogSoc, with at least one event a week. There’s so many of us now that we try to please everyone – we’ve had a go at table tennis, bowling and trampolining, as well as celebrating the best of British TV with our very own ‘Great GeogSoc Biscuit off’ – there were some great contenders.

We’ve further embraced our Britishness with a good old pub quiz, held at East Slope bar. This became our most popular event of the year and the winners got to enjoy a free round of drinks and Krispy Kremes.

Our events are open to everyone, not just Geography students, and we always love seeing new faces, so if you’re looking for people who share your passion for maps and colouring in, then come along! (Joke, Geography isn’t all about colouring in anymore – we’re slightly disappointed).

Socials

GeogSoc’s latest rep is for being party animals – sometimes literally – with frequent nights out. Our social secs work hard to get us the best drink deals in town and discounted club entry so everyone can actually afford all these nights out. This term’s themes have included safari, the letter G and Wild West with great costumes every time – GeogSoccers never make a half-hearted effort.

Trip abroad

Most importantly though, we wouldn’t be a Geography society without a trip abroad. It has become a theme for us to travel to a European city each February and so far we’ve been to Berlin in 2015 and Amsterdam in 2016 with a group of up to 40. For 2017, we’re stepping it up a notch and 50 of us are travelling to Copenhagen and Malmo for the biggest family holiday we’ve ever been on.

Amsterdam in February – the biggest family photo ever!

Annual events

Our other annual events include the Christmas meal which we have two weeks before Christmas and the summer ball which, surprise surprise, we have in the summer. Eating out on a student loan is a rarity and so is sashaying about at a posh hotel, but these are the two times in the year we’ll happily fork out the money cause it’s always worth it.

We like to keep food a theme all year though and occasionally run cake sales in Library Square so everyone can enjoy a guilt-free treat as the money goes straight to charity. This term, we managed to raise £134 for PAPYRUS – a charity working to prevent young suicide – in aid of World Mental Health Day.

And if you haven’t been convinced to join GeogSoc yet, I will leave you with one of our legendary social cover photos:

President Kieran makes amazing cover photos for all our socials