#g2students

[g2students-blog]

Lauren

Sport has always played a massive role in my life, so when I went to university it was an obvious choice to gravitate towards as a fresher (it was my comfort zone). During my first week at uni I was introduced to an organisation called YSJActive who aim to provide inclusive sport for all. Regardless of age, disability, or the level of sport. The idea of using sport as a tool to better someone’s health and their sense of belonging in a community was why I got involved. 

From first year I became the co-ordinator of multi-sports, a group open to the public for ages 12 years and above to come and take part in different sports every week. From this opportunity I then began to get involved in after-care stroke sessions also ran by YSJActive, as well as running health circuit classes for people suffering from addictions which I would never have seen myself doing as a fresher.

I am very aware that these volunteer opportunities are different from student based societies. They were not platforms to easily share the Gospel or my Christian faith, but they were opportunities to represent Christianity in a serving way. I always knew I loved sport, it was a passion God had placed in my heart from a very young age, so being able to use that when on campus and see it make a difference in the community was amazing. I wasn’t openly able to speak about the Gospel or my Faith, but it was an opportunity to show people Jesus through my actions.

I would encourage everyone to follow what they are passionate about on campus, you never know where it could take you and what you could end up getting involved with!

[g2students-blog]

Tim

Joining a university sports team has been one of, if not the best decisions I have made during my time at uni. Before starting university, I was hesitant to join the football team since I was fearful I would become a different person. After realising that the 6am wake up calls for rowing were not for me, I decided to have a crack at uni football.

Being a part of the team has often meant that I have had to withdraw from being more involved at G2 since university sport is a big commitment. However, there are so many positives! It's allowed myself to build relationships with a group of guys, where I can see a lot of their weaknesses and they can see a lot of mine. Sport provides amazing opportunities to see other people's character, through the way people conduct themselves when playing and the encouragement they show to others. 

I have found that being a Christian in a sport team gives teammates the chance to see that Christianity is not just for the 'socks and sandals’, but can be completely relatable to the individuals you play with. My advice is that if you play sport or show an interest in a  sport, then join a team, be a positive influence and make a difference. 

Now a committee member on the football club, I am able to run the team of around 50 players with 6 other guys. This has been a great opportunity to get completely involved so my advice is get involved and don't miss out!

[g2students-blog]

Freddy

Unlike many societies on campus, Politics Society (PolSoc) is departmental and not YUSU affiliated. It is designed to help integrate social events, alternative academic events and students with the department. But also students with one another.

Leading PolSoc, one of the largest societies on campus (with a budget to match… ), meant meeting, through large events, many students not only representing a diverse set of political views but also from a range of backgrounds and cultures. This exposure was challenging but ultimately enriching, and whilst I was not able to use my position to share the Gospel I instead tasked myself with encouraging the correct sort of culture in how PolSoc was run. In leading the culture of the committee an atmosphere more conducive to creating cohesion and settling disputes amongst committee members was created.

Not only was this beneficial for the interpersonal relationships of those I had to work with, but was also reflected in the success of the society. Events were more slick, we became increasingly more ambitious and turnout/participation rose substantially - in the last two years, tickets sold for the annual PolSoc Winter Ball rose from 35 in 2014 to 106 in 2016.

What was so important for me as PolSoc president was the very tangible difference the Christian ethos has on the running of small organisations, such as campus societies. Participation in societies such as PolSoc is essential now more than ever in society today to: share a Christian culture for working relationships, represent the Christian heart for serving, and to pursue a project of normalising Christians being open in their faith. I would encourage everyone to participate in anyway they can with their interest areas on campus to help fulfil this as it is something I found tremendously rewarding.

[g2students-blog]

Luke

“One of the most rewarding things I have done at York is get involved with my college - Alcuin. At the start of second year I volunteered as a Head STYC making sure Freshers week went well for students who were not as interested in clubbing and wanted to go to the college's 'alternative events'. With this experience, I ran for, and was elected to the position of Vice President for Wellbeing on the Alcuin Students Association Committee. This gave me a lot of insight into the wide variety of struggles many students have to face at university, but also gave me the tools to start to help people and make a real positive impact. 

I really felt like I was in a position where I could be a positive Christian example to many people who until then probably only had negative experiences, especially in the LGBTQ community, by showing love and compassion instead of fear and hatred. 

We can all have lots of small impacts upon those around us and help contribute to a better university culture that is more open to God, and interested in learning more about each other's beliefs. It remains my firm belief that God wants us to go out into our communities and live the example that he's set us.”

[g2students-blog]

Annabel

“Freshers week as a Head STYC was one of my favourite weeks of uni. I had the opportunity to get to know and support freshers from Day 1, to get to know more people in college and to have a lot of fun with my friends. I decided not to pre-drink during freshers so that: a) I could deal with the consequences of the weird and wonderful things freshers and STYCs do on those nights and b) so that freshers and STYCs who didn’t want to drink (or drink much) felt comfortable joining in (the girl I Head STYCd with decided to do the same). And to be honest, you get through 6 consecutive nights out much better on cherry tango. 

There’s really no better opportunity to get to know such a big and varied group of people, especially when you’re not living on campus, and it gives you the opportunity to have some great conversations and invite people to things later in the term. 

Because of the connections of previous G2ers on the college student association, our college CU toasties was part of the college’s official freshers programme - and because I was a Head STYC, I could go round each freshers flat and personally invite them to come. Oh, and if you end up loving it so much that you fancy running for a JCRC or CSA position, it’s the perfect way in.”

[g2students-blog]

Gry

 “I did not start York Anti-Trafficking Student group (YATS) with mission in mind. My heart was for justice. I wanted to promote justice within the safety of the four walls of church. That felt comfortable. G2 was brilliant in giving me opportunities to do just that. But God is funny like that. He likes pushing you out of your comfort zone. He likes to go beyond what you yourself can imagine. As a dreamer I always thought that my dreams was bigger than what God could do. I have learnt that it is usually the opposite. 

I was approached by two friends from church who asked me if I wanted to join them in setting up a society on campus in order to raise awareness for human trafficking. I said yes, though inside it terrified me. Thankfully my friends turned out to be some of the most capable human beings I have ever encountered. For most of it I was just allowed to sit around and dream while they did the hard work. Due to YUSU rules, we were not allowed to be openly promoting any religion, however in the first year of our existence our committee was solely made up of Christians, so we would pray during our committee meetings. 

I always prayed that God would be made known through our actions and through our advocacy for justice.

I can honestly say that I learnt so much about how God cares about the little details of our every day lives. Every single event we put on usually had last minute disasters happen, but through brilliant problem solving from the team and some divine intervention, the events always turned out brilliantly. 

My dream is to see a radical awareness of injustices committed against humans across campus; that students of York would bring that awareness and empathy for others into every area of leadership that they would go into in the future. We have only been going for about 2 years now. It's been brilliant. We have doubled in size, and the committee is not strictly Christian anymore, and though I haven’t seen anyone come to faith yet, I am pleased to have seen an increased awareness of the reality of human trafficking in many. I am in this for the long run, and I cannot wait to see what YATS will develop into in the future.”

[g2students-blog]

Grace

“During the summer between my first and second year I felt God speaking to me about making an impact on my university campus. I had already applied and got the role of a Head STYC (because all my friends had applied!), then I realised the opportunity that God had provided to change the culture of freshers week and evangelise to freshers. York Uni (sorry YSJ) has a unique situation of having colleges and STYCs, which really lends itself to mission! As a Head STYC you can really help new freshers feel welcome in this new community and feel included in and inspired by university (and that it’s not all about ring of fire). I met loads of students, from all different backgrounds and beliefs, many of which I would now consider best friends. Lots of my freshers, friend’s freshers or other Head STYCs were Christian or interested in faith and now lead in G2 (you’re welcome) and other churches. This was just a catalyst for what God had planned for the year! I felt God call me to be more involved in the Langwith community and run for an exec position in college (which at the time I didn’t really want to do but live life to the full and all that). I had the most amazing time being Deputy President, I helped shape freshers week for the next year and God pushed me to do and try loads of things I never could have imagined (which were culled from this section as this is already a short essay!). It’s interesting when your motivation behind doing something isn’t to build your CV but Jesus. I think this has a huge impact on how I lead and spent my time. Being part of the two best communities in York (G2 and Langwith) really built my faith in what God is doing on campus, helped build my confidence in general but also in sharing Jesus, have an unforgettable uni experience and shape the culture for a generation of students. This grew my passion for seeing Christian students serve and lead on campus, hence this little project I have got going on. I honestly could have written another 10 pages on this so if you have any questions or want to chat about getting involved on campus or in the city, please ask me (Grace) or (Adam - who was also a Head STYC and ran for Vanbrugh Chair!)”