Anurag Thakur

Hello! I'm Anurag. And this is my manifesto.

Two years ago, right in the middle of my GCSEs, I lost one of my closest friends to cancer. That was an exceptionally tough pill to swallow.

Not only because of the grief such a loss hits you with, but also because I felt I had no reprieve from the academic marathon that I was lost in. There was no pause button, to take a break and come back stronger. There was only one way forward at the expense of my emotional well-being.

I choose to write about this because fundamentally, the advantage of having a friend of ours become an academic representative is the enriched empathy and understanding they bring. The people who helped me most through this time were my friends and classmates, much more so than my teachers could, as they understood my situation more tangibly. Because of course, I am not alone in experiencing loss, grief, and pain at a young age. Everyone reading this has their own story, their own pain, and their own suffering. And everyone reading this has had to take an exam during a time of distress.

I stand for this post because I'd like to be a voice for my friends and help support their mental well-being amid the intense academic pressure university can bring. To take after those who supported me during my lowest, and help as many people as I possibly can.

Thank you so much for reading!
Love,
Anurag.