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 English, make sure you get to know your Course Rep, Mia Cavanagh.
First-year English course rep, Mia Cavanagh, has been working hard this year to represent students in her department. Mia recently organised a meeting with staff involved in the module allocation process and after finding out about students’ thoughts on the current system, she approached department staff to present the feedback and discuss possible solutions to improve the system in future.
Why did you want to become a rep?
I wanted to become an academic rep so I could keep making positive changes to my course. When I arrived at Royal Holloway in September as a first year, I noticed that there were gaps in the structure of the course, and I wanted to give voices to students and improve their academic experience.
What’s been the best part of this term?
Working on how to improve module allocation for next term which will hopefully allow students to pick modules more equitably. The aim is to overhaul the system so fewer students are frustrated that they didn’t get the modules they wanted, and students will be talking to tutors more to help them pick the modules best suited for them.
How do you see being a rep impacting your future?
Maybe in a couple of years, I might want to run for the Vice President Education role so it’s great to gain experience now so I can prepare to make more of an impact in the future.
What’s the best thing about being a rep?
Getting to give autonomy back to students and getting feedback from senior reps and department leaders to make the academic experience the best it can be. Students pay so much in fees so we should get to experience our education the way we want it and not the way it’s automatically set out.