Elijah Zhang

Chemistry (UG): Year One Academic Representative

Turning Feedback into Reaction.

I'm Elijah Zhang, a first-year Chemistry student at Imperial. Over the past few weeks, I have already realised how much easier university becomes when expectations are clear and information reaches students in time.

Before joining Imperial, I served as a Year Representative at my secondary school. While the school traditionally focused on the Chinese Gaokao curriculum, an increasing number of students were becoming interested in international study opportunities. As one of those students myself, I saw first-hand how limited the available resources were. To address this need, I proposed the creation of an AP study guide section in the school library, a proposal that was ultimately adopted.

That experience taught me something quite simple: students often know where problems are long before staff do, but those concerns need someone willing to raise them and follow them through.

If elected, I will work to ensure that Year One students have a representative who is easy to approach and willing to listen. I will actively collect feedback on lectures, laboratories, assessments, and learning resources throughout the year, not just before committee meetings. Where expectations, deadlines, or course requirements are unclear, I will raise concerns promptly and help ensure that students receive clearer communication. Just as importantly, I will keep students updated on what has been raised, what responses have been received, and what progress has been made.

Chemistry at Imperial is challenging enough already. Students should not have to struggle with avoidable confusion as well.