Running for Student Council: An Insider's Perspective

Here's the insider slip from someone who's gone through this wonderful, marvellous, absolutely tiring process of becoming one of the 41st. Oh and I have to add I'm an IP (Integrated Programme) kid (I know, disappointing), so my experience is definitely going to vary. You've been warned!

What made me decide to run in the first place besides the nice-looking portfolio (because come on, let's admit it does look good) was because I had always been told by my seniors that SC (Student Council) is this great place to be, and that you get so close everyone becomes a family and that's always been so appealing. Other than that lowkey brainwashing, I enjoyed doing leadership type work as a student leader in secondary school, and found that it helped me connect to my school and the people there a lot more. I wanted that same experience in VJC (Victoria Junior College), so I decided to apply for council as I wanted to make the most of my VJC experience. Other reasons I've heard from my friends (non IP!!!) is that; One, they love the school culture so much and so they want to contribute to it as an SC member; Two, they want to be house captains so badly after seeing the 40th house captains (Yes these are real answers from real people).

The process was as hectic as one would expect it to be. Deadline after deadline basically ate away at our March Holidays, but I personally didn’t mind. In terms of the positives I had a lot of fun filming our Instagram videos together. My favourite part had to be bouncing ideas off my fellow noms (nomination group mates), filming my new found friends’ work, and watching other groups around the school do the same. Challenge wise we definitely had some issues with meeting deadlines as well as keeping each other in the batch in check. Deadlines were tight and some dropped out the moment they saw our schedule (not that I’d blame them), so stress levels were definitely up there. However, with our mentors to advise us as well as each other’s support, we were able to push through and complete our campaign week! 

The most rewarding part of this entire thing in my opinion was the day we all got back our results about who got into SC. There were many smiles, many tears. A lot of us didn’t really know how to react at first, but at the end of the day we made it through. 

Of course with this new role, there were a lot of new expectations. Then again, since day 1, we were already told as noms that we were going to be held to such expectations. There's being a decent student, wearing the right uniform on the right days, making sure to not be a public nuisance, greeting our teachers when we walk by them, the usual. And then there's more SC specific stuff like getting our deadlines right and learning to balance our work, studies and play. We're meant to be a model example of a Victorian, and that's one of the pressures that come with being one of the 41st. Other than that we are always being watched. Probably due to the 7cm large badge we wear, but our every action is pretty much under scrutiny. Both from the students and the teachers. So holding ourselves up to a certain standard is a constant, even if we think no one's looking. 

Currently as a team, we are still settling in. We recently ended our Post Election Camp for the newly elected Councillors (which was both fun and traumatising) and we're starting our EXCO (Executive Committee) elections soon! For me, I'm going to try to grab a position there (No spoilers as to which position for now hehe). As for the 41st as a whole, we're working with our 40ths to really get the hang of our duties as Councillors. Our seniors have been super nice when we go to them for help, so that's always a plus. 

In regards to future plans for SC and the school, I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say, but at the very least we're trying our best to make sure that every Victorian’s experience is a positive one when they come here. From continuing our existing plans, like the umbrella lending program (find us at the bus stops near our school on rainy days!), to the bigger things like possibly implementing our ideas we presented during our campaign week, there's much to look forward to! 

That's all from me, thanks for reading!