Ten Things You Need To Know To Get Elected
Do you look at your university experience and see things you’d like to change? Are you ready to show the world what you’re capable of? This is your chance!
We've compiled a list of the ten things you need to know if you're thinking of standing in the MDXSU Elections.
1. Don’t Wait Until Your Final Year
Getting involved earlier means you’ll make more of your university experience! There are a whole host of one-off or part time voluntary posts that you can fit in around your life and studies. The President and Vice President roles are full time, paid positions, but you don’t have to wait until your final year - you can take a year out to do the job and return to your studies afterwards, though it’s worth discussing with your programme leader to confirm this is right choice for you.
2. Be Yourself
All you really need to become an elected student officer is an interest in your fellow students and the enthusiasm to change Middlesex for the better. Make the most of your strengths and celebrate your qualities and experience. If you have responsibilities outside university, let students know! You’ll strike a chord with students in a similar position, who may appreciate being represented by someone like them.
Once elected you’ll get all the training, support and information you need to do your job – officers aren’t expected to have any prior knowledge of how things work within the university.
3. Plan Your Time
Campaigning can be time-consuming, but with a little bit of planning is entirely doable. Voting can be a busy time, full of pinning up posters and speaking to students, but it does only last for five days. Make sure your work for that week is finished in advance so you can focus on your campaign.
4. Don’t Do It On Your Own!
Running for election is a new experience for most, but don’t fear – MDXSU is on hand to help all candidates prepare for their campaign. As well as training courses and support from your Student Voice team, all candidates will receive a campaigning budget and materials, so don’t worry about racking up a printing bill for your piles of flyers. Persuade friends to campaign with you and use their skills. With their help you’ll be able to do more and be in multiple places at once. It's extra useful if they’re a super slick talker, or if they can put their artistic streak to good use designing your manifesto.
5. Get Out There
To win votes, you’ll need to reach out to your fellow students: chat to people, hand out flyers, put up posters, start a blog, make stickers, organise a flash mob… whatever you can think of! Chatting to strangers and giving speeches can be nerve-racking, but you’ll have your amazing campaign team to help you out, as well as MDXSU training and support - come to our public speaking workshop! Don’t let your nerves stop you stepping outside of your comfort zone – you’ll discover you’re far more capable than you realise!
6. Listen and Learn
It’s not enough to shout your views at people; winning votes is all about meeting other students, and listening to what they have to say. Show that you understand where they’re coming from and how you can help, and you’ll have the votes rolling in.
7. Get Online
You can’t reach everyone in person. Social media is an amazing way to engage with your fellow students wherever they are, whether that’s sat on the bus or procrastinating in a lecture... Flood Instagram with selfies; get your name trending on Twitter; or put your message out via video posts. Whether you’re big on public speaking or wowing people with your beautiful posters, you should find a way to play to your strengths online.
8. Never Underestimate a Poster
Even in our technology driven times, you can’t really campaign without a poster or some flyers. Make it informative, eye-catching and maybe stick your face on it, then use it online, in official poster spots, in election materials and handed out on campus.
9. Be a Stickler for the Rules!
The election rules are simple to understand, but just as easy to break if you haven’t read them properly. They exist to ensure that all students have a fair chance. Come to a candidates briefing to hear the rules and ask any questions, and make sure that everyone who campaigns for you knows the rules too! If you or someone campaigning for you breaks the rules you could be disqualified… breaking them just isn’t worth it.
10. Think to the Future!
What can you do now that’s going to help you get that dream job in the future? Getting elected gives you loads to talk about at interviews, and showcases skills and qualities that employers from all industries love, such as drive and enthusiasm, and an interest in improving the world around you. Journalist Liz Rawlings nabbed her job at the BBC thanks to her position as a President with Edinburgh Uni:
"Being a student officer shows you’re a go-getter and that you’re passionate and engaged in the world around you. Which employer wouldn’t want that in a staff-member? I worked hard as President, had a lot of fun, learnt invaluable new skills and made lifelong friends. Go for it!"
Any more questions about running for office? MDXSU is here to help. Between February 2nd and 20th elections drop-in sessions will be held every weekday from 12pm–2pm in the MDXSU office, downstairs in MDX House. We're also running training and info sessions - you can see the full list of dates here.
If these times don't work for you, you can also call us on 0208 411 6450, or email us at studentvoice@mdx.ac.uk.
Nominations close THIS FRIDAY 20th February. Click below to show your interest!
