Priya – English BA
Priya is a third year English BA student, we talk to her about being on a society committee.
Tell us a little about the Filmmaking society
"We get together every week and make short films, the first week we share ideas around a prompt and then the next week we go out and shoot it. Different people have different preferences, so some will write the script whereas some may prefer to edit. We're keen for everyone to build a skill set, so if someone isn't confident in editing, there'll be someone happy to sit and do it with them. I want people to be able to say 'I've made a film and I'm really proud of it', and to have the opportunity to build a portfolio should they wish to go into film making.
Recently, I've collaborated with Nottingham Trent University and one of the pubs in Lenton to organise a monthly screening of our films. We have a little brochure, some popcorn and see what we're all up to - it's great!
Last year, I decided that I wanted to be president of this society in order to make sure we have a more diverse group of members. The society has traditionally seen mostly white, male members so I'm really proud, as a woman and person of colour, to have become the president. Initially, I found it quite intimidating to join the group but once I saw other women and other people of colour who were on the committee I thought 'well, that means I'm welcome'."
My aim this year, is to increase the diversity of students we have in the Filmmaking Society, with more international students and more members of the LGBTQ+ community. I want us to look like we're approachable, so that prospective members can see themselves in the society.
What is the Poetry and Spoken Word Society like?
"The Poetry and Spoken word Society is a lovely, small group where we share poems either that we've read and enjoyed or written ourselves. There is no pressure to write, but it is amazing to hear what our members produce.
We've recently been awarded funding which will go towards creating our own anthology. We're hoping that with the new members coming in, we'll be able share our poems and submit the anthology for publication."
A society committee is helpful for welfare concerns because whichever society you join, we are your community. We always say to our members, if you're struggling for any reason, with any aspect of student life, then we will be there for you.
What was your experience of the Peer Mentoring scheme?
"I absolutely loved having a peer mentor. The faculty match you with a current student who is on your course and has similar interests. So I, along with another first year, was matched with an amazing mentor. She really committed herself to the role and all three of us met weekly. We were able to ask her questions about our experiences and worries, such as 'is it normal to have received this mark?', 'does everyone find referencing difficult?' or 'what did you think of this module?'. Obviously, they can't give you academic advice, but it was a real comfort to share any worries with someone who had already been through it.
I loved having a mentor, and think had I not had one, I would have felt so lost and confused. I really don't think I'd have been as successful as I as in that first year without a mentor."
How do you define success?
"I don't think success is necessarily defined by your academic success. Which may be a strange thing to hear a university student say. I was always a high achiever at school, but at university it's different. We're adults now and we have more responsibilities. So although success can be academic, it doesn't have to be.
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