Rinna Väre Blog
Rinna Väre is the SRC President and former Politics student
From Politics student to student politics
I first got involved with the SRC in 2019 as a Welcome Helper and since then I have stayed involved in various capacities – leading me to run for a sabbatical position last March! I really would not have thought that the (literally) last-minute helper application would bring me here – working full time for students - but amazingly it did.
When I first applied for the SRC helping I didn’t know anyone else involved, and although I ended up seeing a few familiar faces on the first training day, I’m happy I took the chance without knowing anyone else who would be there. Helping was such a great experience – I got to meet and to know so many people during those two weeks. It came to be a really defining part of my university experience and led me to run in elections three times!
I first ran in the SRC elections in Spring 2020 – just before Covid spread more widely in Scotland and we went into lockdown. I lost my first election to another great candidate, but nothing compared to the feeling of achievement I had to just take part in the intense two weeks. Election campaigning will forever be one of my favourite memories – it’s intense, exciting, overwhelming, emotional, and a unique opportunity to engage with students regarding important issues and everything that matters to us. And a note to everyone who is considering running in our future elections (which I hope you do!): be prepared to have your room messier than you have ever seen it!
Another Welcome Week, several events and campaigns, and a few lockdowns later it was finally a time for a successful election as I got elected as Gender Equality Officer in March 2021. Despite this year on Council being marked by finding the balance between online and hybrid interactions and finding our way back to a student life without restrictions it was a hugely productive year for us as well and I’m proud to have been part of the team fighting for fair exams, welfare support, and transparent communication.
Turned out that the prospect of leaving university was not enough to convince me to give this all up and I decided to put my hat in the ring for a sabbatical position. Only two months into the role, I can already tell it has been one of the best decisions I have made. If something is a once in a lifetime opportunity this feels like one! Being able to represent students and being listened to is an incredible opportunity, though a big responsibility also. However, having a supportive team and a bunch of enthusiastic students to work with makes it all a bit easier.
I’m not aiming to list everything I’ve happened to do at university, but I’m trying to encourage you to throw yourself into things you feel passionate about and communities that you feel welcomed in. You might even end up getting a job out of it – or if you’re lucky, a bunch of great friends and experiences!