Naomi Larsson Piñeda

Students can reduce their environmental impact by eating less meat and dairy, shopping locally and seasonally, reducing food waste, repairing or buying second-hand clothing, using lower-energy household practices, avoiding single-use packaging and replacing flights with train or bus travel. The piece also emphasizes collective action, encouraging students to join climate societies and campaign for universities to divest from fossil fuels. Goldsmiths’ decision to remove beef and the growing number of UK universities committing to divestment are presented as examples of institutional change.

University societies and other extracurricular activities can strengthen students’ academic performance, employability and soft skills, including leadership, organisation and resilience. Advice from student-union and careers professionals encourages students to explore societies openly or create their own. James Milne’s progression from Newcastle University’s real ale society and student-run brewery to a junior brewing role at BrewDog illustrates how extracurricular interests can lead directly to career opportunities.