The idea of an Education Society was first discussed back in October 2015, after the Institute of Education were awarded £1,000 for having the highest UWSS completion rates across the University. At the time, myself and two other Institute Representatives for Education were skeptical as to what the purpose and aims of the 'Education Society' could be.
My vision was for the 'Education Society' to equip students with crucial skills and experiences that will broaden their understanding of what Education can be, and where a career in Education can take them. After establishing this sole purpose of the society, we began to look at the mechanics of how to create (and run) a society - territory that I have never stepped in before.
After a meeting with Andy to discuss the budget and plans, I felt quite disheartened that new societies usually don't thrive in their first year, so my ambition of 50 members was seemingly unrealistic. Over the summer, after electing an official committee and putting together the constitution (which was approved by the Student Council), we began work on how to brand the Education Society.
This was the birth of Education Enhancement - after a vote which took place on the Facebook Group that was only at around 20 members by this point.
Myself and the wonderful Committee I am part of worked solidly, booking guest speakers, enquiring about trips, establishing their roles and investing every breathing moment into what we hoped would be a success story in the next Academic Year.
I personally feel that I've made the most of my time at University up until this point. I have volunteered wherever and whenever I can, signed myself up for various workshops and meetings, became a StAR, an Institute Rep and a Student Ambassador. So I guess my promise as Chair for the Education Enhancement Society is to provide students with as many opportunities as possible, no matter what stage they are at in their University experience.
I am sat here writing this article with 253 members on our Facebook Group, and 134 paid Society Members. As a Committee we could never have imagined how much the society would 'take off' - especially in our first year of running.
I would like to say a massive thank you to the Students' Union for supporting us from the very beginning, to my fabulous Committee Members for their continual hard work and believing in this society, and to all the fantastic students across year groups who have willingly joined Education Enhancement - without you guys Education Enhancement would cease to exist.