Q&A with UCL’s Democracy, Operations & Community Officer What’s something you’ve been working on that you’re most proud of?
On to a more light hearted question: what were you like as a fresher?
Definitely getting back the rent guarantor scheme, which has taken months, the whole summer, but will help students who don’t have a UK guarantor. I’m also in the final stages of writing the Union’s very first Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan, which will ensure that what I’m working on now has longevity and that there’s a legacy.
In one word: a mess! Going to UCL was so different from my sixth form, and it was really the time to explore who I was as a person. It made me more adventurous, in a good way! I made friends for life in my first year, and I think that’s what I’ve been trying to ensure happens this year regardless of where our first years are starting their year.
What’s been challenging or frustrating about your role recently?
What advice would you give to Freshers starting this year, generally and in the context of making friends and connecting as much as possible?
It’s often really hard to manage student expectations [of restrictions] when we’re essentially a very open campus in the middle of the UK’s largest city, and it’s difficult not knowing how students will react [to our decisions]. Recently it’s definitely been frustrating as someone who’s part of a Higher Education institution to see the government completely scapegoat young people and universities [for the rise in cases]! Students are often the people working in the service industry in some of the most precarious situations, who are being forced back to work because they’re not on furlough any more.
In three words: Go for it! In your first year, your first month, your first week you are going to be outside of your comfort zone, but just trust yourself and trust that you’ll find friends. If you’re living in halls and you don’t find people who you vibe with there, you will someplace else in UCL: there are 43,000 of us, you will find your tribe, it’s just a matter of putting yourself out there! Another piece of advice for freshers: read student media! If you really want to understand what’s happening at UCL, it’s often the best way to do that. Pi, Cheesegrater, and Savage spring to mind (I apologise for any other student media I’ve missed). Also listen to Rare FM. Oh, and the Union Plug—go to the digital welcome fair on Wed 30th September and Sat 2nd October! You’ll be able to talk to different clubs and societies and really find the group of people that you most vibe with. It’s going to be really good and I’ll be hosting a 6-hour long live broadcast with the Activities Officer.
www.uclpimedia.com
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