The End of All Things

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" I am glad to be with you, here at the end of all things." - Frodo Baggins, The Return of the King

Friday

Friday was a strange day for several reasons.

Firstly, we all woke up and realised that for the first time in 13-months we didn't have to head to the Guild for a meeting. Secondly, we realised that we were no longer Sabbs and our time had come to an end. Thirdly, we were all horrendously hungover and afros, medallions & bits of Abba costume were strewn around the house!

It was also the last day the seven Sabbs were going to be together in one room. Well, at least for a couple of months.

So all in all, I think we finally felt the sadness that we were too drunk to feel the day before.

But there's no sense in moping around.

Myself and Naush (former-VPHC) went to the cinema to see WALL.E and it is now my favourite Pixar film of all time. And then in the evening, Lizzy (former-VPSAD) cooked us all lasagne - the last supper.

Afterwards, we played University of Birmingham Monopoly. Annoyingly, the Guild is only valued at £160. And half of the Community Chest cards are derrogatory towards the Guild, such as: "You were found drunk in the student bar, pay a £100 fine!" Scandal! Maybe I should e-mail the VPDR?

Myself and Naush then went to say goodbye to the campus. And it rained - which really matched our mood.

Saturday

Saturday was rubbish because I had to say my goodbyes to the Sabbs. We dwindled throughout the morning, which made it harder. It felt like we were being picked off one-by-one.

Rhea went the day before, then Bolt shot off early because she was going to a wedding (not her own), then Will left, then Laura and then me. Naush and Lizzy waved me off.

Driving home, I couldn't believe I was leaving Birmingham. And I couldn't believe I was leaving the Guild. I had spent three years there as a Receptionist & Society member and then one further year there as one of its leaders. Sad times.

But it's in good hands. It has a brand new team, two new Senior Managers starting in a month's time and new governance structures in the form of the Mem & Arts and bye-laws which we all recently passed. I know it has a bright future ahead so I'm not going to worry.

Sunday

And now it's Sunday. I'm wrapping up this blog and then I will truly draw a line under the most exciting, intense, surprising, rewarding and memorable year of my life.

Without a doubt, the Guild has made me a better person.

I have learnt a vast amount, developed skills in new areas and made some lifelong friends. And a lot of that was before I became an Officer. This past year was my chance to give something back and I really hope that I have helped make life better for our vast membership.

I think about some of the stuff I achieved...

(The Guild is now more environmental, its three-phased Building Redevelopment is green-lit and underway as I type, we achieved our first quorate Referendum in fifteen years, we underwent a successful transition to e-voting, a new website is on its way, Guild Council passed my motion to provide English students with a better provision of Shakespeare texts in the Main Library)

...and I feel glad that I made a difference.

But it's the little things that count more. I like to think I was an approachable Officer, always keen to listen and learn from the students that I helped represent. And I think, ultimately, that is what makes you a good Officer: just being there for the students in their time of need.

Anyway, I could look back and reflect on my Sabbatical year all night (and probably for the rest of my life) but right now it's my fellow Officers that I miss.

So I dedicate this blog to you guys! I love you all and it has been incredibly enjoyable, emotional and rewarding working with each of you.

Stay classy, Guild of Students x

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