Being a course representative would allow me to build on and improve the quality of the student experience for Interior design at De Montfort University ensuring the absolute best it can be. I would also like to create an inclusive environment of community within the course to ensure enjoyment, encouraging as much creativity as a team.
Why me?
I am a sociable and caring person who is persuasive with strong communication skills. I have empathy, fairness and calmness, therefore representing the course with balanced yet passionate opinions. I want to be approachable to all fellow students in my course to reassure their voices will be heard, whether it is positive or negative. I have previous work experience in waitressing in a restaurant and bar-tendering, proving I have good people skills. I was also a tutor at an equestrian centre, teaching children as part of The Pony Club. This role came with responsibilities such as organising fun (but safe) events, teaching riding skills and being a liaison between the students and the owners/main teachers. During my time at secondary school I was a school prefect and in addition I have been awarded prizes for public speaking as part of the Ashby De La Zouch Rotary Club.
Aims:
Togetherness
- During this pandemic, isolation and loneliness could be a challenge to us as students, so if elected, my first aim would be to create a sense of togetherness and support. Ideas to achieve this would be to add an additional link on the MyDMU portal page to allow students to directly message me, their course rep, at any time of the day or week with ease and confidentiality.
- Another method of encouraging togetherness is to create a social media page for the course where students can easily communicate with each other as well as share ideas and opinions. As well as this page being fun, it can also be informative. The course reps could manage the content and post important updates but also include lots of quirky quizzes and fun activities etc.
Lesson Content
- Although online sessions are well organised and detailed, there can be a need for additional clarification afterwards. Not being in a physical lesson in a room together, it is easier to hide in the chats online and us as students can fall behind if online lessons are going at a faster pace than we can absorb. I would like to suggest the creation of an after lesson group on the platform where any student can be encouraged to go for extra clarification with the teacher, providing a more intimate learning environment.
Future Events and Student Experience
- We must admit this year has been very different for circumstances out of our control (COVID-19) and the student experience has been taken away temporarily, therefore I would like to encourage ideas of how we can recreate the best (and safest) experience we can have for future events such as Christmas and New Year 2020 as well as plans for spring and summer 2021. This gives us a focus and something positive to plan and look forward to.
I am really excited and would love the opportunity to represent US as the Year 1 team of Interior Design students at De Montford University. Please vote for me and let’s do this Together!