Hi! I’m Emilia and I’m a returning Student Green Office Projects Officer. I remember writing my introduction blog this time last year and being so nervous about talking about myself. To make it easier this year, I’m reflecting on what I spoke about last time around. I’m now in my third (and final, scary!) year studying BA Photography, and this time last year I had no idea what I wanted to do after uni. I’m still not entirely sure but seriously considering going into teaching.  

As I mentioned last year, I am STILL upset about not getting Radiohead tickets, that was a hard pill to swallow, but I did get to see Squeeze back in December, which was amazing! Everyone go listen to Squeeze during or after reading this blog, I love them so much and will never stop recommending them. I also wrote that I was an ‘Indie Rock Night warrior’, and as much as a Thursday night has a special place in my heart, I’m no longer as committed as I once was. Saturdays on the other hand… 

My love for second hand and vintage fashion has intensified if anything, and I continue to strive to reduce my consumption. Sticking to the environmental theme, I’ve also become much more interested in cooking, specifically finding better veggie and vegan alternatives and attempting to get beans into as many of my meals as possible. I love beans, everyone needs to get involved with beans, it’s on my to do list for SGO work this year. 

I’ve finally got a hobby, sort of… I’m on the committee for Film Society (which you guys should all come to)! This has been a great way for me to meet new people and make some good friends, and I’ve enjoyed seeing a wide variety of films through this. The best film I think we have watched was Trainspotting, but my personal favourite films are Donnie Darko, and joking but not joking, the live action Scooby Doo films, which I truly believe are cinematic masterpieces. 

I have been putting my degree to use, and I’ve been doing a lot of photography for music students which has been pretty cool. I’ve been able to go see some talented people play good music, and on occasion get a free pint. What’s not to like? 

I’m still deeply in love with Kent’s natural landscapes and coastline, as well as the vast amount of wildlife here, and being in Canterbury makes it so accessible (please don’t make me graduate and go back to Bromley). Furthermore, my passion for social sustainability with a focus on women’s issues remains strong, and I hope to find ways to bring this into my work throughout the year. 

Picture: some cows I went to go see in Canterbury because I think cows are cute

Last summer I was deeply unemployed and pretty depressed about it, but this one was better. I worked in a summer school for kids from other countries learning English. I really enjoyed this experience, and honestly my work in the SGO made me way more confident in my role. I hope to also bring my now greater understanding of different cultures to this year of my SGO journey. 

I feel much more enthusiastic and confident in my role this year and am deeply passionate about getting more people involved with sustainability, through our work and in their own daily lives. Last year I lost a decent amount of dignity by shouting at people about birds in Touchdown, but if anything, this makes me much better prepared to get people caring about stuff that I really care about. No one can silence my love for wigeons, and I hope to bring this level of enthusiasm to all my work in the SGO this year.

By Emilia Hollingdale, SGO Projects Officer