Written by Desana (she/her), student
From debate to hip-hop, photography to cheese, there’s really something for everyone. Let’s explore the ins and outs of clubs at Waterloo!
Wait, WUS-what?
WUSA is the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, an organization responsible for a lot of the organized student life here at Waterloo. With a number of responsibilities aimed at helping students succeed, WUSA is in charge of managing the entire clubs system to ensure you get the most out of your university experience.
Every Waterloo undergraduate student is a member of WUSA, and it’s run by students we elect. WUSA represents the student body and speaks to policymakers on our behalf. Some of the popular items they discuss include tuition, mental health, housing, safety, transit, affordable food options on campus, and, of course, clubs. They’re dedicated to representing student voices and ensuring that everyone has a great experience at Waterloo.
Clubs and societies
At the beginning of every term, WUSA organizes Welcome Week, an exciting, free event open to all students, new and old. One of these events is Clubs and Societies Day, which is a great opportunity to learn more about Waterloo’s student culture. All of the clubs have a booth in the Student Life Centre that provides you with all the information you may need for your club of choice — like what the members do and when they meet. And to make it even easier, you can simply sign up for the clubs that interest you right then and there.
Clubs for every purpose
Waterloo clubs range greatly in terms of size, level of commitment, and, of course, purpose.
Some clubs are great for finding the calm in a hectic week, while others help you learn new skills or connect to students in your faculty or program. Whether you're interested in attending an anime screening, fighting off zombies with nerf guns, or talking politics over tea, there's a huge variety of clubs that you can choose from.
Joining lower commitment clubs (attendance varies weekly) such as the Tea and Culture Club, is a simple and effective way to de-stress and make new friends! The Tea and Culture Club is a space for people to get together every week and try a few new teas, usually while playing board games, chatting, or even doing homework. Kate, a second-year member, remembers being intimidated by all of the club options and appreciates the Tea and Culture club’s atmosphere. “Everyone is kind and enthusiastic. New people are always welcomed… and almost immediately one of the members will come over and chat.”
The Waterloo Toastmasters Club is part of Toastmasters International, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching public speaking and leadership. Whether you’re looking to perfect your speech giving skills or ace a job interview, Toastmasters is a great place to learn by doing — you’ll get tons of opportunities to practice in front of your peers! Plus, you’ll receive thoughtful, perceptive feedback that'll help you improve as a presenter.
Clubs for everyone
Waterloo has a number of clubs and opportunities for students to get connected with one another. Whether you’re interested in clubs with a religious focus, or those that are dedicated to promoting equality and inclusion, there’s definitely an option for you. On the WUSA website, you can filter your search by general type, such as “religious and spiritual,” or by keyword, such as “equality.”
For example, the QTPOC KW Club, provides a safe environment for individuals at the intersection of 2SLGBTQ+ and racialized (Black, Indigenous, POC) identities to interact freely and build community.
Faculty societies
If you’re looking for a place to connect with students in your faculty or program, check out Waterloo’s faculty societies. These societies run fun events and provide important services like exam banks (samples of previous exams) and even cheap or free food. You can get involved by going to events, and if you’d like a leadership role, there are spots for first-year representatives or executives in your upper years, and even volunteer options where you can get a feel for the positions.
Faculty societies are a great way to meet like-minded people, and I encourage you to check them out once you’re here!
Starting your own club
If you’re interested in bringing a new club to the Waterloo campus, the process is quite easy. There are certain basic criteria and steps for starting a club, all of which can be found on the WUSA website.
Along with clubs, there are countless other events on campus that will help you get integrated into Waterloo life and connect with other students of similar interests and backgrounds. These include all the events run by WUSA, Waterloo’s own TEDx event, Canada’s largest hackathon, and many others. Check out WUSA’s event page and the full clubs list, and hopefully find some options that interest you!
