Beth Evans, SU President
3rd July, 2024
Welcome to the world of Student Representatives. Thanks for putting yourself forward, or well done for being nominated by your class! This is a super important role and we're very glad to have you. We know that it can be tough to break the ice at the start of the year and get your cohort talking and sharing feedback so to give you a head start, we've put together some top tips.
Become a 'regular' in your base room. Not only will this give a boost to your studies and your social life but also, if you are a familiar face who is reaching out and chatting to your peers consistently it is going to feel so much easier and nicer to come and approach you as a Student Representative with feedback, complaints or ideas for improvements. So, have fun, get involved and keep an ear out!
Put together a Google form so that you can chuck the link into your class group chat or an email thread for everyone can submit their feedback as and when they think of it, This way, it will be neatly collated and ready to share at your next Student Representative meeting. We'd recommend sending the link out a week ahead of your meetings to make sure to gather as much feedback as you can before Student Staff Feedback Meetings and Student Voice!
Make a feedback box and leave it in your base room. This can be as simple as an old cardboard box or you could make a project out of it and build something bespoke in the Fab Lab. Now people will be able to leave feedback anonymously, meaning there's no need to feel shy or embarrassed about what ideas or issues that they might have.
Have a designated feedback session after lunch or before class to gather your peers and talk about what's going well and what could be improved in your cohort! Bonus points for making these regular events bi-weekly or termly. The more integrated sharing feedback with Student Representatives becomes, the easier it will be for your class to feel comfortable sharing ideas and suggestions.
Just ask! This might seem like the most obvious tip in the world but it works. If you're wondering how your cohort are getting on, wander around the class and ask them. They might not have anything they're itching to say but they also might come up with something they've forgotten to mention anywhere else. Having someone reach out sometimes makes it easier to share rather than feeling as though they have to be the one to approach you all of the time.
Lastly, remember you're not alone. You have taken on this role on a voluntary basis, so please don't feel like you have to take on the burden of your cohorts feedback. That is what the Students' Union is for! We can help you to find the right staff member to hear your feedback, talk through anything difficult that's been raised, and signpost you to other Student Representatives with similar feedback, so that you have work together for solutions.
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