When I first found out I’d gotten an interview for the Student Green Office, I reacted with the composure of a calm, collected adult.

Just kidding.

I was practically bouncing around the room like an overcaffeinated squirrel. I couldn’t believe it — me, shortlisted for a role that combined creativity, sustainability, and student voice? It felt like a dream… until my Wi-Fi decided to turn it into a bit of a nightmare.

Picture this: it’s August. The kind of August that wants to be sunny but instead decides to launch a full monsoon. I’m sat at my desk, dressed semi-professionally (let’s not talk about the pyjama bottoms), nerves doing backflips, laptop fully charged, notes all ready. I’m hyping myself up — you’ve got this, breathe, don’t talk too fast, smile…

And then… the rain got heavier.

And my Wi-Fi said: “Nope.”

Within minutes of starting the interview, everything went glitchy. Video freezing. Audio cutting. That awkward moment when you’re nodding at a question you didn’t even hear. I tried not to panic, but my laptop clearly had other plans. Eventually, I had to ditch the call entirely and switch to my phone — crouched awkwardly by the router, camera off, screen soggy with stress.

At one point, I remember thinking, there’s no way they’re picking me. I mean, who hires the person who couldn’t even keep their connection stable for thirty minutes?

Apparently… they do.

And honestly? That chaotic, rain-drenched, camera-less interview set the perfect tone for what turned out to be one of the most rewarding, unexpected, and joyfully unpredictable experiences of my uni life. Because if there’s one thing I learned from SGO, it’s that sometimes the messiest starts lead to the most meaningful moments.

I still remember induction day like it just happened — mostly because I was running purely on adrenaline and the fear of being late. I’d literally moved in just one hour before it started. One. Hour. I’d woken up at 5:30am in Bexhill (yep, the seaside town I mentioned in my very first SGO blog), jumped into a taxi, and made the two-hour journey to uni, bags and nerves in tow. By the time I arrived, there was no time to settle in, unpack, or even take a proper breath. I dropped my stuff, grabbed my bag, and basically sprinted to the SGO induction, convinced I’d already missed it.

Turns out, I was on time. Actually, a bit early (go me?). But I showed up a sweaty, sleep-deprived little goblin of a human, half convinced I’d forgotten how to speak. And yet — it was amazing. Seeing everyone in person for the first time, meeting the faces behind the emails and messages, and realising this is real, I’m actually here — it was overwhelming in the best way. I was tired, yes, but also buzzing with excitement and genuinely so happy just to be a part of it. That day set the tone for what the whole year would become: a little chaotic, very fast-paced, and full of energy — but something I wouldn’t change for the world.

After all that drama just to make it to induction, I guess you’re wondering — what exactly did I do this year?

It all started at Freshers’ Fair. Bright-eyed, slightly confused, and powered by hot chocolate and nerves, I found myself sitting next to Maddie (SGO Officer and a fellow green soul) at our stall, trying to get people to sign up for our sustainability newsletter. I’m not going to lie — the first few “hi! do you want to join our newsletter?” attempts felt mildly terrifying. But it ended up being so much fun. I was with my friend, I was part of something new, and it was the first time I really felt like, oh wow, I’m in this now. And I haven’t stopped since.

From there, the blog posts started rolling. It all began with my first ever blog — a soft little intro from a Bexhill-on-Sea girl talking about sea air, sustainability, and why I care about the planet in the first place. That post felt like a digital handshake to the world of SGO, and even though I was definitely nervous, it was the beginning of me realising how much I loved writing about this stuff. From there, I rolled straight into autumn with a blog on Seasonal Affective Disorder (timely, because same), followed by some leaf-themed upcycling and a winter post on keeping the cold out and your energy bills down — which hit way too close to home. My most popular piece? That honour goes to Roses Are Red, But Are They Green?; a Valentine’s blog where I tore into the flower industry with sass, facts, and a slight existential crisis. People actually liked it… which still shocks me.

Then things got emotional. I sobbed through Mother Nature Called — She Wants Her Wildlife Back, wandered through Lost in the Woods while thinking about mental health and nature, and wrote Bridging Generations, a heartfelt piece about the beauty of learning from older people (shoutout to my care home days!). My sciencey side came out for National DNA Day, and I really got in my biomedical bag with Your Immune System Is Pulling a Double Shift for World Health Day — basically an ode to our poor, overworked immune systems. And then came the grand finale: Love Is Blind, but Even It Can See All the Space Trash, where I took romance and launched it into orbit (literally), talking about the mess we’re making even beyond Earth. That one felt like the perfect send-off — quirky, dramatic, a little chaotic, and full of heart. Just like this whole year.

And of course, I can’t forget “The Heat Is On: Can our Health Keep Up?” — my first ever SGO event and quite possibly the most stressful (and rewarding) thing I did all year. I spent what felt like an eternity writing email after email, trying to get a venue, confirm the topic, organise the promo… and let me tell you, nothing hits quite like that one joyful ping when someone finally replies after weeks of radio silence. I honestly thought it wouldn’t happen — but it did. And the whole process taught me so much: how to plan, communicate, stay calm under pressure (ish), and most of all, how to trust myself a little more. Hosting the event, talking about the impact of rising temperatures and what we can do to keep up with climate change, was such a full-circle moment. I walked in feeling unsure, but I left proud — and slightly sweaty. It turns out the heat was on… but so was I.

Looking back, I honestly can’t believe how much I’ve grown this year. When I first got the role, I was so nervous — constantly second-guessing myself, worrying I wasn’t experienced enough, or that my ideas wouldn’t land. But this opportunity pushed me (gently but firmly!) out of my comfort zone. From blogging and running events to speaking up in meetings and collaborating with new people, I’ve learned how to trust myself more, speak with confidence, and embrace the beautiful chaos of trying something new. I’m especially grateful for the friendships I made — whether it was bonding over Canva struggles, laughing through long Teams calls, or just feeling like I belonged in a team that genuinely cares. The SGO gave me a voice, and I’m so thankful I took the chance to use it.

As for what’s next — for me and for the SGO — I hope we keep pushing boundaries, having uncomfortable conversations, and making sustainability feel inclusive, creative, and fun. I’d love to see even more collaboration across courses and communities, and maybe more opportunities for storytelling, because that’s what really connects people to change. As for me, I’ll keep carrying everything I’ve learned here — from writing and event-planning to just believing in myself a little more — into whatever I do next.

Thank you, SGO, for letting me be part of something so special. It’s been weird, wonderful, a little sweaty at times, and absolutely unforgettable.

Signing off, your slightly chaotic but endlessly grateful SGO gal.

By Amitheesha Ganesh, SGO Projects Officer