There are some common misconceptions and doubts about the Student Elections that can put people off from running. Many of these are myths that simply aren't true! Don't be put off, get your application in. Even if you don't win, the process of taking part in the elections can be a great learning experience and help develop your skills.
Let us cast aside some of your doubts...
1. What difference could I make? Students never get listened to anyway.
Not true. ENSA can, and has, made a positive difference to the student experience. Years ago, the University had no plans to include sports facilities on campus. ENSA and the pressure of its sports clubs changed that. Until recently, Edinburgh Napier was one of the few universities that scheduled Wednesday afternoon teaching, ENSA changed that. There are lots of examples, big and small, of ENSA representation making a difference to what matters for students. You won’t change anything if you don’t try – and don’t leave it to someone else because, as you know, if you want something done properly, you’ve got to do it yourself.
2. You have to be into politics to get elected
Not true. You just need to have a message that students can support. You don't need to have any future political aspirations nor any particular political outlook. Speak to students and campaign to get your message out and persuade them to vote for you. Not all voters want politicians, they want people who are “real” and have similar concerns, aspirations and values.
3. I don’t have the right experience
You don’t need any previous experience of being a student representative, nor do you need any fancy qualifications. You just need to be a current student at Edinburgh Napier, be willing and able to listen to what students want, and give a voice to those issues to the University and beyond. It doesn’t matter what you are studying – anyone can run and anyone can win!
4. I would be better just getting on with my degree or finding a 'real' job.
More than half the people in this city have a degree, so what will make you stand out from them? You need 'add on' experience to give yourself a better start. If you take a year out to be a full-time paid President, you will gain experience that will set you apart and should give your graduate career an early boost.
Past elected officers have been seen as good investments for prestigious graduate programmes, like Price Waterhouse Cooper and Blackrock. Former Elected Officers now have top jobs in PR and media, transport and defence engineering, production management, computer game design. We even have a Paralympian and Director of BBC Online among our past officers!
5. I have no chance, I don’t have a big team to help with my campaign
A large network of friends can help, but they don’t always deliver. You may discover like-minded people/candidates as part of the election process who will work alongside you and who you can build alliances with to support one another in campaigns across campus. So much depends on what your message is and the energy and passion with which you take that message out to persuade students to vote.
6. The application process is too complicated
It’s actually quite simple! You just need to fill in an online form and write a short 300 word manifesto – check out our Writing a Manifesto Guide for some tips. After this, the election process will be explained in full at our Candidates Briefing shortly after nominations close. You're also welcome to get in touch for a chat, whenever you have have any questions.
7. The Elections will get in the way of my assignments and coursework
ENSA can write to your Programme Leader on your behalf to request that you are given an extension on any project deadlines to allow you to participate in the elections. You shouldn’t need to miss any classes as you can plan your campaign around them – especially if you can find a team of friends to help out.
8. There rarely seems to be any female winners
Actually there have been lots of female winners in past Student Elections at Napier. There has been a year where all 3 full-time elected officers were women, and several where 2 of the 3 elected were women (as was the case recently in session 2022/23). More men have put themselves forwards for one of the roles in recent years, but there's no reason for that to be the case.