With the deadline for nominations fast approaching (Sunday 5 February @ 23:59), this week is your last chance to nominate yourself to run in the SU Elections 2023. If you’re thinking about nominating yourself but would like to know more about what the role really involves, we sat down with current VP Societies and Sport Hannah Hockin, to discuss a typical day in her life as a sabbatical officer.
This week is your last chance to nominate yourself to run in the SU Elections 2023! If you’re thinking about nominating yourself but want to know more about what being a sabbatical officer really involves, we sat down with current VP Societies and Sport Hannah Hockin, to give you an insight into a typical day.
So Hannah, how do your mornings typically start?
Well, I tend to wake up at around 7:30 and scroll through social media until I have to get out of bed at 8:00. Then I do all the normal things to get ready in the morning. I walk to work whilst eating my breakfast at 8:45 and arrive at the office at 9:00.
What’s the first thing you do when you get to the SU office?
When I first get into the office, I head to the kitchen to put my lunch away and grab a drink. I also like to say good morning to everyone and see who is in that day. Once I’ve done my rounds, I turn on my laptop and check my emails, replying to anything urgent and making a note of the emails I can reply to later. Whilst checking my emails, I will also write out my daily to-do list. I like to set myself 4-5 attainable goals each day that must be prioritised and completed before the end of the day.
Run us through a typical day
On most days, I attend meetings about various projects. On a Monday morning, I always have a catch-up with the Student Opportunities team where we prepare for the week ahead. In the afternoon, the other officers and I attend Officer Group, where we meet with some of the managers at the SU to discuss our work and agenda. I also set time aside for Student Group Drop-ins on a Monday, where students and committee members can come and chat with me about any problems, plans or ideas they have regarding their student group.
My days aren’t just meetings though! Every day is different - I’m often working with the Marketing team to film and create content for our social media pages and on Wednesday afternoons, I attend fixtures down at the Sports Centre.
I also make sure to set time aside each week to work towards my manifesto goals and our current projects. For example, at the moment I’m working on the second Big Bears Wednesday of the academic year and getting ready for Varsity in March (which is really exciting!).
Who do you work with on a day-to-day basis?
On a daily basis, I spend most of my time working with Maia and Shrey (President and VP Education), as well as the Student Opportunities team, specifically the Societies Coordinator and the Sports Clubs Coordinator. More broadly, I work with lots of different people from the College and Active Lifestyle and Sport who I meet with monthly.
What sort of meetings do you attend?
As VP Societies and Sport, I get to attend meetings across the Students' Union and College. For example, this week I’ve been to a Varsity focus group and an awards planning session for Colours Ball. I also attend student group meetings as a mediator to assist them with any problems or disputes they’re dealing with, chair the Societies, Sports and Opportunities Executive (SSO), attend the Joint Executive with the College and the officers and I have a 121 with the Senior Vice Principal for Student and Staff Experience.
What’s your favourite aspect of being an officer?
By far, my favourite aspect of being VP Societies and Sport is getting to work with students. I love that I get to be involved with a whole host of sports clubs and societies and engage with Royal Holloway’s community so much! As well, everyone working at the SU is so supportive and it’s so nice to be a part of that team.
What’s the hardest part of being an officer?
I definitely think that the hardest part of being an officer is learning how to say no to people. As much as you’d like to do everything, it’s just not always possible and you have to manage expectations. Learning how to set boundaries has been a difficult but important lesson for me this year.
What do you do at the end of the day to unwind?
I spend most of my time outside of work swimming and playing rugby. I also love socialising with my friends – just very typical stuff really!
And finally, do you have any advice for someone thinking about nominating themselves?
I think that anyone who is thinking about nominating themselves but hasn’t done it yet should definitely go for it! You have to be prepared to put yourself out there and take yourself out of your comfort zone but when you do, it is so rewarding. I would also say that you should try and talk to as many students as possible and really listen to what it is they want from their sabbatical officers.
Nominate yourself!