Academic Reps play a key role in improving students’ academic experience, working hard to make sure your ideas and concerns are heard at the highest level. If you're studying Modern Languages, make sure you get to know your Senior Course Rep, Lucy Yarrow.
Academic Reps play a key role in improving students’ academic experience, working hard to make sure your ideas and concerns are heard at the highest level. If you're studying Modern Languages, make sure you get to know your Senior Course Rep, Lucy Yarrow.
Why did you want to become a rep?
When I first came to Royal Holloway, I wanted to get more involved with the community at the university and one way to do this was through academic representation. I have been able to interact with peers not only in my modules but in my department and across the college.
What are your plans for the rest of the term?
In terms of academic representation, I will be continuing the work I’ve been doing so far and ensuring students' concerns are being raised. I will be working with professors in Modern Languages to work on changes that are happening within the department.
Personally, as a student, I will be remaining on campus to finish assignments so I can graduate in the summer. This is my last term at university so after having been an academic rep since 2018, it’s nice to finish on a high note by being recognised as Rep of the Month.
How do you see being a rep impacting your future?
It was interesting to be a liaison between students and staff and see both sides of how academic representation works in terms of supporting students and working with staff to practically see how solutions can be reached. Over the years, my role has changed from a Department Rep to a Senior Course Rep. The roles have given me a confidence boost as I’ve had the chance to chair Staff and Student Comittee meetings. This was a great opportunity to speak up in academic representation and become more confident enough to raise the concerns of students and identify possible solutions in front of my own department professors and other staff.
What’s the best thing about being a rep?
For me, the best thing about being a rep is getting involved in improving the academic experience for yourself and other students you interact with day to day. Being able to propose changes and seeing how your own actions are shaping the future of the college and improving the future for prospective students is really rewarding too.
This month, Shrey has recognised Lucy Yarrow as Rep of the Month for facilitating a year abroad session for students to share feedback on the year abroad/Erasmus programme with department staff and college central administration. As a result of this session, the department was able to identify problems with communication and administration and is now planning meetings to solve the issues with the programme which will benefit 40-60 current students and future Modern Languages year abroad students.