So, you’re thinking about becoming a student leader in your primary school.

Good for you.

It’s great that you want to step up and serve your fellow students and teachers.

Being a student leader isn’t easy. For a start, you’ve got to give up some of your time. That means devoting some lunchtime and even after-school time to your leadership duties.

You may find that other students difficult to manage and communicate with. They may not agree with you, or even want to cooperate. So you may have to work on your communication skills -that is, how you speak to and work with others

But the positives far outweigh any negatives. You will benefit and grow so much from the experience.

Am I good enough?

You may have some self-doubts about your leadership potential. That’s common. Everyone has doubts about themselves. But don’t let your doubts stop you from achieving what you set your heart out to do.

Besides, student leadership is not something you are born with but something you can learn and practice.

The world needs great leaders, and the best place to start is as a student leader in primary school.

So, if you want to become a student leader, here are some tips and steps to help you along the way:

1. Identify your strengths and interests.

What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What are you passionate about?

Perhaps you’ve enjoyed being a buddy to younger students and I’d like to try being a leader. Perhaps you’re good at sports, and you enjoy helping others do well at sport too.

Spend some time thinking about these questions.

They will motivate you and help you find your niche as a student leader.

2. Set goals and make plans.

What do you want to achieve as a student leader? How will you measure your progress and success? What are the steps and actions that you need to take?

These things can guide you and help you stay focused as a student leader.

Don’t worry if you can’t answer these questions now. Your teachers will help you work this out when in your induction program.

3. Seek opportunities and challenges.

What are the existing or potential opportunities for student leadership in your school? How can you get involved or create your own? What are the difficulties or risks that you might face?

Think about these things that will challenge you and help you grow as a student leader.

Look for opportunities to lead, even if they don’t have a title. By stepping up and giving a speech, organizing a game, or starting a project, you’ll get valuable leadership experience.

Step up rather than step back when opportunities crop up. That’s what leaders do.

4. Learn from others and yourself.

Who are the people that inspire you or support you as a student leader? How can you learn from their experiences and advice? How can you reflect on your own experiences and feedback? Was there a school captain that you admired?

The models you choose will help you learn and improve as a leader.

Identify three people you look up to as leaders, and think about what you admire about them.

5. Have fun and make a difference.

How can you enjoy your student leadership journey and celebrate your achievements? How can you make a positive impact on others and yourself?

Make sure leadership is fun and rewarding. This will help you inspire others as a student leader.

A final word…or two

These are just some tips and steps you can follow to become a student leader.

There is no one right way to be a student leader; rather, there are many different ways that suit different personalities, situations, and goals.

The important thing is to be yourself, open-minded, and willing to learn and change.

Remember, student leadership is not about having power over others but about having power with others.

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A message to principals and teachers in primary schools:

Try out the Young Leaders Program to see if it’s the right fit for you. It’s free.