Posted on Fri 05 Feb 2021 at 08:46 by
Jeffrey Thompson As we move out of January I wanted to talk about a key role within the student experience :
Today I want to focus a little bit on the vital importance a course rep has on the student. experience
A day in the life of a Course Rep... is just like any other undergraduate.
You go to class as much as you should, and you perform your usual studies in the same way, the additional requirement is to listen. Listen to the feedback from your class and to any other personal questions they may have. Please pay close attention to your course's misinformation and the organisation problems to later address them and find a solution.
For me, a Course Rep is a person who can help the class when everything is confusing.
There are only a few days you will not live the life of a typical undergraduate. This only happens once per semester and takes 1 to 2 hours. On these days, you have the FAEC Meeting where you join the other Course Reps to discuss issues, concerns and beneficial feedback (this is as important, the academics need to hear the good that is being done!).
In this meeting, you find how the University is listening to your particular concern and the solution they can offer. You have insights on how academic staff prepare. The problems are often a variety of issues that older Course Reps raised. However, every year the University tries to improve its curriculum and solve the mentioned problems. Your positive feedback is the proof the University solved it.
Typically, there are times when the Course Rep meeting is not scheduled to happen for a few weeks, where the best solution is to schedule an appointment with your lecturer to resolve the situation, or you can escalate this to your School Rep.
A Course Rep connects the class, connecting everyone in the same group chat or making everyone aware of the social nights. You can mention events and projects the University are doing that relate to your course for some courses.
In reality, there isn't any ordinary day, even for an undergraduate. At least being a Course Rep gives you the chance to fill in the gaps that the course or the lecturer are causing. The department needs your course feedback to understand how deep the hole is and how much help you need to solve it. The role gives you the chance to communicate with everyone from student to Head of Department and even learn from the course's upper-undergraduate experience. But do not be scared as a Course Rep you have the chance to resolve it.
Full training is given, and this role allows you to make a lasting impact on the university and increase your own skills
Remember all stay Covid safe, take care and see you soon for another exciting edition :-)