Ijeoma Okonji

A proverb I grew up hearing is: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I wanted to open with this because it truly reflects my experiences at Imperial, and I know it resonates with many of us. Having a dedicated student leadership team focused on welfare can profoundly shape not only how we cope and perform at university, but also how much we enjoy the journey.

As medical students, we are constantly reminded of the gravitas and responsibility we carry as future doctors. It is very easy to lose sight of the everyday moments that make this experience meaningful and memorable. We all deserve to appreciate the lighter, human side of student life - and we should.

I believe welfare campaigns should not necessarily heighten before or highlight times of difficulty, such as exams, but act as a source of positivity and motivation throughout the year, reminding us to live in the moment. My vision is for campaigns that strike a balance: addressing serious themes of mental health, exams, financial stress, while also including more whimsical initiatives that foster community and joy.

To end, I want welfare at Imperial to feel student voice-led and uplifting all year round, allowing us to thrive in both personal and academic pursuits. Ultimately, we are people before we are medical students.