An Honest Look at Student Leadership

One of the most talked about aspects of the “high school experience” is the perks of being a student council member. You are probably familiar with a Head Girl and a Head Boy at your school, or maybe you might know them by the title of Student Council President, you could also have Vice Presidents. These are just a few of the many leadership roles available in schools that everyone hopes to achieve at least once in their school lives. Maybe you’re interested in becoming a Treasurer because you're great with numbers, or a Secretary general because of your organisational skills. Maybe you like to plan school dances, fundraisers and prom, and you’re thinking you should take on the role of Events Coordinator. Student leadership comes in many forms. It’s never the same in every school, but it is always diverse and filled with many positive aspects. There’s a chance that at some point or the other, a spot in student leadership will call out to you.

But should you take it?

I was Head Girl at my school last year and served as Deputy Head Girl this year. It’s difficult to capture both experiences in a single word. It was amazing, exhausting, empowering, infuriating, frustrating – all at once. And I think it’s important to talk about that honestly because it’s so overshadowed by all the glorified aspects.

The idea of student leadership comes wrapped in a shiny bow: badges, assemblies, recognition, and a pretty little piece to add to your university applications. I won’t lie, all of this is lovely, but what we don’t always talk about is the responsibility of these positions that candidates often overlook. The hours spent balancing your academics with duties, addressing student concerns, attending meetings, and being the face of the school 24/7. There’s pressure to always be presentable, mature, and diplomatic, even when you don’t feel like it. And there will be times when your efforts go unrecognised or your ideas get shut down.

There’s also the emotional weight of leadership that no one quite prepares you for, and one that I personally struggled a lot with during my tenure as Head Girl. You’ll face criticism – sometimes fair, sometimes not – from both students and teachers, and very often, even from members of your own leadership team. You might be blamed for decisions you didn’t make, or caught in the middle of disagreements. The very people you're trying to support might question your intentions, and at times, your own friends may forget you're still a student, not a politician. It's hard not to take things personally when you pour so much of yourself into a role, only to face apathy or resistance.

You’ll often find yourself working behind the scenes long after everyone else has gone home. You’ll stay up late writing speeches, planning events and neglecting your homework, and sometimes you’ll even have to drop things you love just to keep up with it all. And as much as student leadership teaches time management, it also tests your limits. Burnout is real – and it’s rarely talked about. It’s not all applause and appreciation. Sometimes, it’s just second-guessing yourself.

But if you're fine with these aspects, and you believe you can manage them with resilience, then a role in student leadership might just be for you. Being a leader is never easy, but the impact you make might have you feeling that it’s all worth it. That sense of fulfillment you get when your events are a hit, when someone tells you they felt heard because of your policies, and when you look back and realise you’ve grown into someone more confident and strong, that’s the kind of reward no badge or title can measure. Trust me, student leadership really isn’t all bad; in fact, it can be one of the best parts of your school experience. But it’s important to go into it with open eyes, knowing that it’s not just about applause or glamour, but about learning to lead not just others, but yourself.