One of the things that has made modern university life great is that there really is something for everyone. If you like sports, there are a myriad of teams to join. Creative arts fans won’t have to look far to find somewhere to dance, sing, play or act. If you’re interested in gaming – whether it’s a board game or on a computer screen – you’ll easily find some like-minded people on campus. But what if you’re none of these things, what if your passion is simply enjoying the sound of your own voice? What if you have a real interest in broadcasting and production and have always dreamed of being on live radio? Well that’s where your university radio station comes into play.
This piece is certainly autobiographical. I signed up for my university radio station over a year ago and have never looked back. I’ve had the opportunity to host my own show, get involved with the station committee and meet so many brilliant people I’m now proud to call my friends. But beyond that I’ve found a whole world of opportunities in a field I have such incredible interest in. It must be said that I wouldn’t be here writing this piece today if it weren’t for my University radio station. So what else is there that makes these stations so great? Well it would be hard to narrow it down to just a few reasons but I’ll certainly do my best.
A dream come true
The chance to host my own show wasn’t just about fulfilling a dream. It was also about learning more about the entire world of radio production. From the technical aspects, to the actual broadcasting, being given the opportunity to learn more about my field of interest has been truly priceless. Furthermore, the sheer diversity of shows which broadcast from these stations show that there really is little restriction on what you can do a show about. Everyone has the chance to express their interests live on the radio in pretty much whatever way they want. What could be better?
The other element is, of course, the confidence it brings. I’m not ashamed to say that, when I joined my university station, I was in a particularly bad place with my confidence. Being able to meet so many friendly people while simultaneously taking part in something I love lifted me out of the rut I found myself in. The confidence you can take from telling your friends and family you’re live on the radio is immeasurable. The happiness you feel when you hear about how great people thought you were is immense. You really do get so much out of it.
I could not recommend joining your university radio station more. Meeting new people, learning about the field and building up your confidence to new heights. What more could you ask for?
So the next time you’re browsing your university societies page or strolling through the freshers’ fair, make sure to look out for the radio station. You never know what you might discover.
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