Looking Back at Summer Training

The first thing that stood out to me during the summer training was how welcoming the wider team was. 

I was also surprised by just how complex the process of actually getting things done can be. As students, we obviously see the end result, but we do not always see all the conversations, planning and work happening behind the scenes before something can actually change. 

One of the biggest things I learned about was the Advice team. 

I knew the service existed, but I did not fully understand how independent and impartial it is. That genuinely surprised me, and it is something I think every student should be aware of. Having somewhere students can go for independent advice and support is incredibly valuable, particularly when you are dealing with something and are not sure where to start. 

The training also gave me a much better understanding of how different parts of student representation fit together. I realised that being a Student Champion is not simply about collecting feedback. It is about understanding where that feedback needs to go, who needs to hear it and how you can work with people to move things forward. 

I came away from the training with a much better understanding of what I had signed up for, but also with even more interest in getting started.