Gathering student feedback
Gathered 40+ student opinions about recent Computer Science coursework across two different modules to relay back to module leaders!
New attendance policy communication
Addressed widespread student confusion regarding the new attendance policy by pushing for a school-wide reminder to all staff. This ensured that all lecturers provide attendance codes consistently, making it easier for students to log their presence and ensuring the policy is applied fairly.
Developed a mentoring scheme for Bioscience students!
Developed a mentoring scheme for Bioscience students that covers both academic content and employability skills. I presented the proposal at the SSLC (Student Staff Liaison Committee) where it received positive feedback from staff; it is now ready to be launched across several courses within the school to provide a new layer of peer-to-peer support.
Nominated for Nursing Times - Student of the year award
Deeya was recently nominated for a Nursing Times - Student of the year award. This award doesn't only show her commitment to nursing, but as a course rep to improve experience for other student nurses at the School of Health Sciences.
Inclusive Student Registration
Following concerns from our LGBT+ Society, Luana worked with the University to add a "prefer not to say" option into relevant questions in student registration.
Great advocate for students
Jenny has been an excellent Rep over the last few years. They have advocated for student views in meetings and offered guidance to students in need of support!
Housing Help with the Support Zone
Worked with the Support Zone to enhance housing events following student feedback. This included hosting follow up events to our housing fairs, such as our 'Housemate House Party' to help students find people to live with as well as helping them to find the place to live.
Exceptional commitment to the role
As Rep for the School of Mathematics & Physics, Sian has shown exceptional commitment to the role, and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure all students' voices are heard.
Keeping students informed
I’d like to recognise Nat for all the effort she has put into being an outstanding course representative this year. Nat has consistently kept students informed, sharing helpful reminders via WhatsApp about upcoming deadlines and key course information, which has been especially valuable during such a busy semester.
Excellent Course Rep
Deeya is an excellent course rep and has represented her cohort for the past three years as well as being head rep for one year. She always engages well with her reps and ensures that she raises any feedback she receives to the appropriate staff as well as at our course rep meetings.
Raising feedback
In my 2nd SSLC, I raised that it is frustrating when we do not receive feedback for an assignment before the next assignment in that module is due. Lecturers were not aware that this was the case in a couple of modules, and now actively ensure this is not happening for the second semester.
Advocating for Reps
Heer is a fantastic course rep and is always advocating for her students. She recently spoke with the union regarding some health science reps who could not meet some of the course rep award criteria due to their clinical placement commitments. This has ensured that students can still be recognised for their hard work and not miss out on this opportunity. I feel that Heer is very deserving of this win and recognition :)
Targeted International Student Support
Directly contributed the creation of the University's cross-institutional INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXPEREINCE group to develop more coordinated and targeted approach to International student services, guidance and engagement.
Increased Union Presence at Senior University Meetings
Luana has advocated for Union representation at important EDI meetings, including the Race Equality Charter and Athena Swan Charter, to better recognise and reflect the Unions extensive contributions to university-wide initiatives and goals.
Supporting Clubs and Societies
Kade has prioritised getting information properly communicated to Clubs & Societies, through informative Standings and bringing extra attention to available Scholarships and Bursaries. This has led to several clubs/socs receiving additional funding through these schemes.
Making Manor Park safer
As your VP Community I have been working with the University to make Manor Park safer by introducing more speed bumps to improve road safety.
Celebrating International Students' Day
I worked in collaboration with the International Student Advice Team, our International Students Subnetwork Leader, Marc, and other student volunteers to host our annual celebration for the international student community at Surrey, International Students' Day.
Wellbeing Champion Hub
This year, your Support Zone has launched a new Wellbeing Champion homepage full of resources and information to help better support our Wellbeing Champions!
Connecting with students
Nat has worked incredibly hard, being regular and consistent in contacting the students, offering to share their thoughts and have a voice. She has updated us EVERY WEEK on what deadlines, experience opportunities and labs we have. Utterly amazing and I know she puts a lot of time into each message. Very thankful for her!
Streamlining the process for picking optional modules
I brought up to our module leader that accredited modules did not inform students which professional body they referred to or how they contributed to the professional exams we would take after graduation. After discussing this with the Accreditation expert, our module leader agreed to share links to the professional bodies' information pages and create a simplified Excel spreadsheet presenting the details in a different format, allowing students to analyse their optional module choices more effectively.
Lobbied for more transparency on exam feedback
Established a more transparent approach to exam feedback to help students understand the marking process. This includes clearer information on how results are quality-checked and the role of external examiners, which helps manage expectations and reduces student stress while waiting for results.
Welcome Talks Involvement
Ran a course introduction session for the first-year Biochemistry cohort to explain how the course is structured and why having a voice matters. This student-led approach was highly successful and resulted in 100% rep coverage for the course, ensuring every student in that year is represented!
Gathering feedback
Identified and escalated a significant academic concern affecting students from Business Economic regarding the compulsory optional politics module introduce in the second semester of the final year.
Strengthening communication between students and the faculty
The win or achievement is her outstanding impact as Course Representative in strengthening communication between students and faculty while driving meaningful improvements to the academic experience. She proactively gathered structured feedback from across the cohort through surveys and informal discussions, identified recurring concerns around assessment clarity and feedback timelines, and presented clear, evidence-based proposals at Staff–Student Liaison Committee meetings.
Supporting Commuting Students
Matt is a passionate advocate for Commuting students based on his own experience. He worked with the Voice Zone, Networks and Future Leaders to organise a Commuters Event. From coming up with the idea, to planning to supporting on the day- it is clear Matt cares about Commuting Students and goes above and beyond to bring attention to this group. He also has helped lead to the potential creation of a Commuter Lounge and also raised Commuter issues at Student Voice Forum.
Engaged in the role
Emma has been very well engaged with her cohort and has frequently raised issues affecting the mental health nursing students as well as our wider health science community. She always raises her concerns in a professional manor and has been able to bring many important topics to my attention as Head Rep as well as to our meetings including our recent SSLC meeting.
Communicating feedback and outcomes of meetings
I acted as a reliable link between students and staff by clearly communicating updates, feedback, and outcomes. This ensured transparency and helped students feel heard and informed, contributing to a more supportive and responsive academic environment.
Escalating feedback in the PGR community
Jamie has gone above and beyond to represent and support our PGR community at Surrey. In his role as Rep, he has consistently escalated student feedback on several topics; including support available for postgraduate researchers, accessibility of our report and support service, and the need to include PGR voices before enacting change.
Black Sport Collective
Kade has worked with Team Surrey to launch the Black Sport Collective, a new initiative focused on increasing Black student representation in sport!
Reusable Coffee Cups
Matt has worked with the University to launch the Cauli cup scheme - providing students with reusable cups at catering outlets on campus to reduce waste and improve sustainability!
Great Head Rep communication
Sending out monthly newsletters to all reps in the school of health sciences to ensure that all students have regular contact and communication with their Head Rep. The email includes notices, key meeting and social dates, things to look out for or to try and complete in the coming months.
Great representation
Emma is a great course rep and is always very responsive over email. She escalates concerns to her head rep and her field lead. She has attended and raised key points at lots of meetings this year and always does so with confidence and professionalism, advocating for her cohort and ensuring that Mental Health Nursing students voices are heard.
Escalating feedback on exam date
Bassel, the Course Rep, contacted me after an exam was moved, causing considerable concern within the cohort. He asked for my assistance in building a case to present to the module leader. Together, we gathered evidence and student feedback, enabling Bassel to present a strong case. The module leader accepted the evidence and agreed to return the exam to its original date. Students were then updated and were greatly relieved!
Sharing regular updates
Nat has worked incredibly hard, being regular and consistent in contacting the students, offering to share their thoughts and have a voice. She has updated us EVERY WEEK on what deadlines, experience opportunities and labs we have. Utterly amazing and I know she puts a lot of time into each message. Very thankful for her!
Brilliant representation
Kimberley and I worked closely last year to make big changes to the Psychology course structure, with specific emphasis on restructuring the Academic Tutorial scheme. This was a big task that took a lot of work, bit Kimberley consistently contributed and pushed for the changes.
Getting home safely
Your VP Community Amber, worked with local developers to ensure students had a safe route home through the new development of flats just past Yorkie's Bridge!
Great representation
I’d like to recognise Nat for all the effort she has put into being an outstanding course representative this year. She consistently keeps us informed, sharing helpful reminders via WhatsApp about upcoming deadlines and key course information, which has been especially valuable during such a busy semester.
Created a jobs padlet for final years
I have created a jobs padlet for final year nursing, midwifery and paramedic science students to help students navigate finding and applying for jobs more easily. I update it regularly with jobs and have also posted lots of useful content for how to write applications and where to find open jobs. I have continued to build upon what is included in the padlet by having final year students send me resources or jobs or anything else they would find useful on there so I can upload it.
Gathering and presenting feedback
Viha has gone above and beyond with regards to collecting student feedback for their SSLC meeting. They not only achieved fantastic engagement but also prepared a detailed presentation for the SSLC breaking down percentages and groups of common issues raised by students allowing for an efficient and productive meeting.
Engagement with the staff and sharing feedback
Thero has proved to be a great rep through her engagement with the staff during JSSLC meetings and Board of Studies by providing valuable feedback, also she brought in positive attitude and great work ethic.
Presenting feedback
I presented key findings from student feedback directly to lecturers, clearly communicating student concerns and suggestions. This facilitated constructive discussions between staff and students and contributed to improving the overall academic experience through informed dialogue
Supporting students
I would like to celebrate Jaden as a committed course rep in the School of Health Sciences. Working recently with her at an interview day, I saw the compassion and dedication she has to encourage future students to join this course. as a Rep she has gone above and beyond to build a sense of community.
Presenting feedback
Toby has gone the extra mile when presenting feedback to module convenors regarding inconsistency with the stats workshops. Also speaking in person when advertising Rep surveys to make sure his name and face are known to the cohort. He has consistently handled feedback presented to him promptly and has advocated many times for the needs of neurodivergent students. Therefore, he has dedicated an exceptional amount of time to this role.
Gathering feedback
I designed and distributed a survey within my cohort to gather structured and representative feedback on students’ academic experiences. This allowed me to capture a wide range of perspectives, ensuring that feedback shared with staff was evidence-based and reflective of the cohort as a whole.
Fun and Unique Wellbeing Events
Sam has made mental health and wellbeing engaging and accessible through her approachable energy and genuine passion for supporting students. She has helped to organise unique wellbeing events- bringing goats, cats, dogs and other farm animals to Surrey which have helped students to relax and take a break from the pressures of university life.
Collecting and sharing feedback
Collecting feedback from the aerospace engineering cohort for the Personal and Professional Development Module meeting with the student success coaches and sharing it with the student success coaches. Organising and conducting group study sessions with the students who prefer to have group study sessions.
Great feedback gathering
Carter has been very helpful in gathering feedback from the students as well as helping to communicate with the other students on their course about any changes as a result.
Gathering feedback on the library
The library had asked for feedback about their services ahead of the BioSciences SSLC Meeting. I asked my cohort of what they want to see improved and some of them mentioned having more snacks in the library. I submitted my feedback to the FHMS Librarian and a member of my cohort just confirmed that they’ve added a snack section to the library by the entrance - called “overnight snacks”!
Communicating with students
As Course Representative, Nat provided clear and consistent weekly updates via WhatsApp, ensuring everyone stayed informed about upcoming deadlines, assessments, and exam details. Nat focused on keeping communication simple, timely, and supportive so the whole cohort could stay on track and feel confident throughout the year.
Launched additional Rep training
This year we have offered extra training sessions to our Reps to further help them develop and build skills which will support them both in their role and in the future when they enter the world of work!
Great feedback gathering
Wrote and designed a Microsoft Form to engage with students in person, via email and via WhatsApp to ask for student feedback for our course. The other Rep on our course and I were quite successful with 34 responses.
Going above and beyond as a Rep
I consistently went beyond formal responsibilities by maintaining regular contact with students and encouraging open discussions about their experiences. Rather than only relying on meetings, I proactively sought out student opinions, allowing me to represent a wider range of voices and contribute more meaningfully during staff discussions.
Great feedback gathering
As a Rep I have written and designed a Microsoft Form to engage with students in person, via email and via WhatsApp to ask for student feedback for our course. The other Rep on our course and I were quite successful with 34 responses. Then we compiled feedback and met with our Programme Lead, to discuss the results!
One World Week Gala Promotion
Supported the Community Zone with One World Week Gala, encouraging Clubs and Socs to attend the event and leading to great turn out to this event.
Building academic communities
We created a WhatsApp group and sent a link via email. With this method a total of 8 members joined, including myself and Vihanya, also a course rep for aerospace. So, instead we did a quick presentation in front of our cohort asking for them to join the group so they could insight to anything relevant to them. After the presentation a total of 68+ members were in the group. A huge increase!