When I first joined Dudley College for sixth form, my focus was largely on keeping up with my studies and achieving the grades I wanted. It wasn’t until late in my first year, moving into my second, that I began to look more consciously at my own personal development. I wanted to push myself beyond the classroom, step outside of my comfort zone, and take on opportunities that would challenge me to grow. That search for growth is what led me to join the Students’ Union.
Becoming a part of the SU opened my eyes for the care and efforts that student unions put to create opportunities for all college students. Taking on the role of Vice President of Finance, I was able to observe and understand how budgets were planned and how every decision had to maximise resources given. This gave me a far greater appreciation for the effort and responsibility that goes into making opportunities possible for students. It also taught me to recognise value. And not just in terms of cost, but in the impact these decisions have on the student experience.
Alongside this awareness came exposure to collaborative spaces I hadn’t experienced before. Attending meetings with different people, listening to their ideas, and seeing how discussions translated into action built my confidence in working with others. It showed me that growth often comes from engaging with people outside your usual circles, and that collaboration is just as much about listening as it is about contributing.
One of the most transformative opportunities that came through the SU was my involvement in the Gen22 programme. Working in a small team with peers my own age, we successfully pushed forward a project that received £10,000 of investment. Our goal was to design and deliver a safe outdoor space on campus where students could relax and take time to recover. This project resonated deeply with me because, during my own first year at college, I often struggled with the need for a quiet space to reflect and wind down. To be able to transform that personal challenge into a positive solution for others felt both empowering and rewarding.
Through Gen22, I not only gained practical project experience but also developed my socialisation skills in ways I hadn’t expected. Being on the spectrum, I have sometimes found these skills harder to build, yet working closely with my peers on something meaningful gave me the chance to practise, grow, and become more comfortable in social and collaborative settings. This complemented the self-recovery and resilience I had been building through my SU journey, allowing me to see just how much progress I had made in a relatively short time.
Looking back, joining the Students’ Union has been one of the most important steps I have taken during my time at Dudley College. It has given me the chance to develop skills, contribute to lasting change, and connect with opportunities I would never have discovered otherwise. I am grateful for everything the SU has provided, and I see this not as an end but as the beginning of many more challenges and experiences to come. My hope is that others will also take the chance to get involved, push themselves, and see just how much they are capable of achieving.