If you've ever felt overwhelmed or out of place in university, you're not alone! I'm Tom-Tom, and I initially felt the same in my first few months at GCU until I actively sought out opportunities like the GlobalBuddy, Magnusson fund, GCU film society, hosting events at the reunion bar, working towards the Common Good award, and enrolling in the student leadership program. The fast-paced nature of the university hinders most of us from discovering these opportunities.

As an adept creative and MSc Social Innovation student, I'm passionate about channeling creativity and removing barriers to opportunities which is why I'm running for Full-time Officer—to collaborate with YOU to transform the student association from being a distant representative body to a student-led collective continuously creating access to opportunities that improve your student experience. Together, we can;

1. Kickstart #CALERAVE: a creativity hub to host trimesterly inter-faculty challenges, sports, and activities featuring influential industry guests, sponsored prizes, social media campaigns, and opportunities for students to showcase talents in music, film, poetry, podcasts, fashion, photography, technology, etc driving global spotlight, socialization, cultural exchange, confidence, and well-being enhancement.

2. Implement research-driven innovation in collaboration with Uhatch to improve your earning potential i.e. creating a network that gives GCU students priority access to various flexible shifts.

3. Personalized support for home & international students to ease integration through bi-weekly support groups for exchanging useful knowledge & resources gained from real experiences in priority contexts including accommodation, income, navigation, academic workload.

4. Work with Glasgow City Council to launch #StudentLife initiatives cushioning us from the cost of living crisis.

5. Advocate for equal/clearly defined breaks for September intake students.

6. Mandatory Full-time officers' accountability syncs with students to assess impact so far and collaboratively develop further initiatives.

Vote TOM TOM #1 and let's explore boundless possibilities together.