A Course Rep in Lockdown
Being a Course Rep in Lockdown
Why sign up to be a Course Rep or Faculty Rep in lockdown? How are you going to gather feedback from students and communicate with staff? Studying in this new virtual environment has been very different, but just like teaching has changed, so has (in some ways) the role of the Course Rep.
I present to you Digital Rep!
It’s a new platform JMSU introduced to help you as a student or as a Course Rep communicate with your course. Digital Rep is the primary way your Course Rep collects feedback on course related issues. It is a message board style tool where you can post praise, concerns, and ideas about your course. You can like, dislike and comment on posts. Course Reps will read your posts and collate your feedback.
Your Course Rep take it to your program leader on your behalf and subsequently post an official response to update you with any action being taken. If you have any urgent concerns, contact your Course Rep directly. You can find out more about Digital Rep here.
Working closely with Academic Societies
Academic societies are student groups formulated around a passion for a particular subject. Often these are set up by students studying a particular course for example history students may wish to set up a history society. Joining a student group has been proven as an excellent and effective way to improve the wellbeing of students and academic societies will offer activities and discussions about that particular academic subject that will broaden your knowledge beyond that course! They are also a great way to meet likeminded people and connect with others virtually in a time when it is so important to do so! You don’t have to be a Rep to get involved, all students can sign up to academic societies here.
Gaining Skills
Being a great representative is about communicating with staff and students. Becoming a Course Rep means you will be the point of contact between your course mates and lecturers and you will find that through this role you will improve your verbal and written language skills. You will also improve your organisation and presentation skills, and you will familiarise yourself with formal structures of the University and see how business is conducted. These experiences will help you in the workplace, given you transferable skills and helping you identify how to negotiate and reach mutually beneficial solutions in a timely manner. Finally, you will inherently gain confidence as you speak on behalf of your peers and support the teaching and learning on your course, for both current and future students.
JMSU Amazing Teaching Awards
You can get recognised for your hard work as a Course Rep at the Amazing Teaching Awards. Every year LJMU students submit their nominations to recognise the best academic / non-academic staff and Reps who have supported them throughout the year. Being nominated at the Amazing Teaching Awards is an incredible achievement, particularly as these awards are entirely student-led. JMSU values its volunteers and you can find out more about all volunteering opportunities, how to represent the student voice and make a difference here.
Becoming a Course Rep is an incredibly rewarding experience, here is what some of our current Reps have said about their experience this year:
I have been a course rep for 4 years at LJMU during my undergrad and my masters. It's something I am really proud of. Being a course rep during a pandemic has offered me a completely novel experience that came with some challenges but also many rewards. I have felt more a part of a community this year, both amongst course reps and fellow students, and I think the experience of the pandemic has almost brought everyone a little closer. This year, I am really proud of my commitment to my masters studies and being a course rep, alongside other paid and voluntary work. Juggling it all has been a challenge but again, very rewarding. I have learned a lot about myself this year, I have also felt very supported at LJMU and I have really enjoyed my course. I feel very lucky to be able to say all of that, especially in our current climate - (Connie, Masters’ student).
I am a course rep for forensic science level 4. What I've been really proud of this year is the way everyone has pulled together to support each other through both academic and personal issues such as mental health. It has been very hard for everyone given the current circumstances but we’ve all helped each other whatever way we can to get through the toughest times – (Bree, First year student).
I feel that there has been a stronger sense of community amongst Course Reps over COVID because we all have a mutual experience of something regardless of the course (Anonymous).
