Student Government: Is it for you?

BACK-TO-SCHOOL is just around the corner and if you’re someone who happens to be interested or is active in your campus extracurricular activities, joining the student government might just have entered your list.  

Whenever we hear the phrase “student government,” oftentimes we associate the idea of it with someone leading a group in order to have good governance. 

However, upon entering the world of SGs (Student Government), you’ll come to realize that the terminology of it comes with various definitions that vary per person. 

Some would consider the SG to be something that serves as a voice for students, whereas for others—it serves as a training ground to further develop one’s leadership skills.

But before we conclude whether being in one with the SGs is right for you, let us first dive in and learn about the things that we should know beforehand.

It’s more than just governance

Student government is a student-led organization that plays the role of representing the interest and concerns of the student body to the school administration.

It is also a form of leadership where it allows students to have a platform on which they can express their opinions and ideas that can later influence the school community’s decision-making process.

One of the misconceptions amongst those who are planning on joining the SG is on how they are only fixated on focusing with good governance. 

While the idea of it wasn’t entirely false—-considering on how the word ‘government’ is involved, being part of an SG also includes serving as a voice for students, implementing and organizing events, and regulating policies. 

Overall, student government is an invaluable aspect of school and a means of encouraging student empowerment and their involvement in their education.

It is no secret that taking part in the organization isn’t going to be easy and before considering on taking part on your next organization, here are some things that you need to know:

Power comes with responsibility 

Some people like the idea of being part of the SG as it labels them to be this person in power and that is entirely true. 

Having a position within the SG community does give you the power but just like the famous saying, “with great power comes with great responsibility,” it is most certainly true if you happen to be someone in position.

Having a position within the SG is great until you start drowning with the overwhelming tasks. 

Because of those tasks, you are tied down with the commitment of where you have to wear a different hat for your role as a student leader.

Commitment is a must within joining this organization and by commitment, there will be a time where you would lose time with friends and leisures as you’ll be occupied with the tasks that you have to accomplish. 

Communication is a must

We’ve heard this phrase for a millionth time now and just like with your family, friends, and significant others—communicating with your peers and fellow SG members is also a must. 

By communicating with them, you’ll be able to effectively voice out your ideas within the group with a high chance that you’ll be able to execute it with them. 

Whether it’s through planning and organizing, communicating with your peers is a must as this way, you’ll be able to work as a team with them.

Aside from communicating with your peers, networking with your fellow students is something that you should opt for as you’ll be able to learn more about their needs and concerns as a student.

How to know if its right for you

When knowing about whether this is something that you should look forward on pursuing, there are 3 questions that you should first ask yourself:

What are your priorities?

Do you want to make your organization a priority or is this something that you’ll consider to be nothing more than an extracurricular activity?

It is important to know what you’re prioritizing beforehand because this way, you’ll be able to set boundaries within yourselff and within your limits. 

How can you manage your time?

Just like what previously mentioned, being in the student government requires commitment and when you’re part of an organization that includes continues planning, it is sure that your attention will be divided. 

Juggling studies and organizations is not an easy thing to do especially when you’re both trying to be active with both of them. 

That way, it is important to ask yourself so that you’ll be able to create and develop a time management plan. 

How will you manage the pressure?  

There will be times on where things will eventually get overwhelming and by being part of the SG, learning how to be emotionally resilient and patient is something that you’ll have develop. 

Working with your peers will sometimes lead you with disagreements and the same things goes with your duties once it starts weighing in. 

It is important to ask yourself how you’ll be able to handle the pressure of it because once you start learning more about you’re triggers as not being able to handle it can lead to spiral. 

Once you’ve reached the part on where you spiral, it may start affecting your school performance and as well as with your well-being.