-Nusrat Farhana Naisa
High school is a great time for self-discovery and growth. You are at a ripening age and ready to learn what is beyond your classroom, text books and occasional quizzes. Here’s where student council intervenes to shape up your potential pathway of interest. Not only an opportunity to address issues of concern expressing the voice of students themselves, also the privilege to be heard by those in authority along with gaining leadership skills, organizing events and working for betterment. Aside from buffing up your resume, you’ll develop necessary skills pivotal for your future and career in the long run.
Student Council is a student-based association designed to help promote guidance and leadership among students. A council serves as the voice for an entire student body and actively works with teachers and advisors to promote not only extracurricular activities for better self-development but ideas of improvement from the students themselves. Joining a student association is one of the best ways to learn more about yourself. For one, student council opportunities provide you with activities and direction that will shape the way you see the world and those who live in it. Afraid of public speaking? Student council boosts confidence in members and encourages you to follow your passion. Interested in debating? The council will guide your way on what to do and what not to. Planning to study abroad for higher studies? The Council will provide necessary views and facts including examples of alumnus achieving their dream. Serving on a student council and actively participating are great opportunities for both teaching and learning the principles of networking of opportunities to enhance oneself in any field of interest.
Aside from all these, the students themselves also have loyalty and cooperation to give to the council. The bigger the amount of members, the more chances of leaders, and the more the council can help the students. At the end of the day, the council is as strong as how many members it has. Aspiring from an objective of betterment, the students can lead the way to their desired future. Why is it necessary? Considering the fact that we live in not any third world country but Bangladesh, where the education system itself is in a progressing state and the concept of “Education” is still misinterpreted by more than half of the population, focusing on real life skill development or any ECA – which is by the way a necessity for English Medium Students, isn’t what most schools do. Here’s where the council can direct you with help. Not only this, but a culture where teachers mostly influence the developing factor of the future generations, bringing some new minds with bright ideas seems to be quite a step for progress. Imagine students independently working for their future goals and areas they excel in, the idea itself gives a mouthful of a smile to begin with. Rather than asking ‘why?’ start questioning with ‘Why not?’ Visions of bringing the best version of the student themselves into a platform full of development with the privilege to be heard.
Here are some pointers as to why you should join a Student Council:
Increase in your horizon of potential
Exploring where your personal goals lie and what is important to you is the key factor of knowing yourself, knowing what you want. Students often suffer from indecision in case of choosing what they want. The council helps you to understand yourself by challenging your prospective. Counselling the members, reminding of the opportunities you got in hand and ways to use them rightfully are part of the council’s objective.
Working in diversity
Adapting and blending into certain situations can be a pretty difficult task. Communicating through “people skills” — they’re the skills that allow us to effectively interact with others, like positive behaviors, attitude, and work ethic. Participating in a student organization not only teaches you these skills, but also helps you broaden and improve those you already have. You’ll learn the best way to communicate with both individuals and large groups, and you’ll gain emotional intelligence as you develop new relationships.
An opportunity to lead the way
While there are many positive reasons for taking on a leadership position in a student council, I believe the two greatest benefits are developing leadership skills and expanding your network of communication and resources. Holding a position in a student organization requires you to work with a team, effectively problem-solve, organize events, and also interact with fun, talented and creative individuals.
Expands your resume
Everyone knows that student council looks good on your college application. Showing colleges that you participated in, or (better yet) lead, a student council, they’ll know that you’re hard working and can handle multiple responsibilities including time management, micro-management, communication skills, and public speaking… (Sigh) and more! Being a member also means going to organize and participate in Olympiads, events and tournaments. This is one of the main purposes of the student council – to make you look damn good on your resume. Especially while applying abroad, these skills contribute tons of credits.
You’ll have fun!
Another simple yet awesome reason to join a student council is to have fun and it’s cool. Meeting new people, making new friends, and participating in activities will help you make the most of your graduate school experience memorable. Who knows, you might get popular too. The whole community is a wholesome bunch of people helping each other excel in different criteria. Getting to use skills you’ve learned in class and experience the thrill. It all goes beyond just leadership and teamwork skills, student council can help you build memories, relationships and even learn about your personal goals
As a council member, your time is important to the association. While you can sit back and do the least amount possible to get that shining mark on your college application, only through pushing yourself will you see the true rewards of this association. Therefore, to get the most of the benefits, you need to step out of your bubble and try the things that are difficult. You never know the valuable life skills that you might learn. Most important be the voice of your student body, share your opinions, be confident, have humility and fight for causes that are important. Through working with others, building leadership skills and helping your community, you just might find your true passion.
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