Hello there, I’m Chris, a distance-learning student, and for the last year I have been a student representative here at Arden. I chose to become a rep because I wanted to help students make the most of their studies but also develop myself at the same time. My time as a student is now coming to an end and I thought this would be a great time to tell you how much of an opportunity representing students is and what it entails. Also, to showcase to why you should become the representative for your course! 

Empowering the Voice of Students 

Being a rep firstly means you become the voice of the students on your programme to enhance the student experience. This doesn’t have to be complicated, it can sometimes just be as easy as signposting students in the right direction if they have a query.  

It may also entail gathering feedback from the students on your course to ensure that their views (including yours) are always represented and taking centre stage in Arden’s quest for improvement. You’ll also receive the support of the Student President, the Student’s Association and from your programme’s school, which you can contact with any queries or clarifications that arise.  

You get to attend rep meetings to share knowledge and ideas, also pre-committee and committee meetings where you can present your feedback or ask questions to your programme’s leadership team, always with a view to enhance the student experience.  

You become the crucial link between the students and the university! 

Upgrading your Skills and Knowledge 

When becoming a rep at Arden, you also build upon your knowledge and skills. You gain insights as to how things work behind the scenes, with feedback taking an active part in enhancing both procedures and policies to continually enhance the student experience and outcomes.  

But you also get to strengthen your skills and professional experience such as: 

• Communicating with stakeholders courteously and professionally, but also 

• Building and forging professional relationships 

• Collaboration 

• Problem solving 

• Teamwork 

• And leadership skills (with soft skills being very much in demand in today’s workplaces!)  
   

Broadening Horizons 

You also get to learn about what other schools and programmes are up to and, should you wish to do so, can get involved in various projects such as programme validations and themed focus group (such as assignments, wellbeing solutions or university strategy) as and when these take place.  

Personal Highlights 

What I have loved the most is attending my programme’s committee meetings as it meant not only did I know what was happening behind the scenes and how success is measured, it also meant I could help ensure that student views and feedback were always part the improvements being made. On my course, this resulted in small things such as clarifying assignments or deadlines all the way to the introduction of a new accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute with memberships being paid by the university.  

Another highlight was attending the University Strategy Meeting where we were asked by Carl Lygo (Arden’s Vice Chancellor) and Steve Clayton (Pro Vice-Chancellor Effectiveness, Quality & Compliance) as to what the student priorities should be for the next few years. The university understood student perspectives to marry up both what the students want with where the university is heading.   

All in all, you have a lot to gain by becoming your programme’s student representative and could have real influence!  Reach out to the Student Association today! Or find out more by following them on Instagram.