As President of our brilliant Students' Union, it is of course both my role and pleasure to sell Swansea University to every visitor to our campus.  Regardless if they are a visiting Professor from another institution, a Masters student from the Russell group, or quite simply someone in their final year of Further Education looking to progress on to University Studies.  

The reason I do this, is not to upsell the University based on my degree or dissertation classification, but based on my truly fantastic experience.

I have been visiting Swansea since birth, born in Chiswick, South West London, but travelling every holiday to Swansea to see my dad's dad.  Coming to Swansea became an exciting journey down the M4 away from the hustle and bustle of London, into a much smaller, friendlier, holiday world.  This continued into my late teens, when unfortunately my Grand Father passed away.  Soon after though, it was time to apply to University.  I had aspirations of studying Geography (yes I do now have a degree in colouring in - thank you very much) at Sheffield or Sussex, but upon visiting their campuses, something didn't quite click.

Soon after my dad jokingly suggested Swansea, and jokingly I agreed.  However, he did actually book me on to a Geography open day, and as so many authors have famously said 'the rest is history'.

In three years as a Student I achieved the following:

• Became President of the Geography Society and Deputy Station Manager of Xtreme Radio
• Joined Wales' oldest Student Radio Station (Xtreme Radio) and got nominated for a national award for 'Best Student Radio Chart Show'
• Attended 3/3 Welsh Varsity's - between ourselves and the 'other University' in the capital city.
• Attended 3/3 fantastic Summer Balls, seeing Florence and the Machine, Feeder and Chase & Status to name a few.
• Travelled to New York, New York to complete BA Human Geography Second Year Fieldwork.
• Worked for the Students' Union as an Events Technician and DJ
• Made friends and shared experiences that will last until my hair turns white (I'd say grey but I've got a few already...)
• Ran, to be the Societies and Services Officer in March of my final year and graduated with a 2:1 in my degree and a 1st in my Dissertation.

Subsequently, in March of this year, after lots of gentle persuasion and support I ran to be the President of our Students' Union.

One of my colleagues, a man known simply as "Simmo", who you will no doubt meet at some point in your three years with us, summed up my experience at our institution expertly, 'London Born Swansea Bred'.

The beauty of your Swansea experience, is that not only will you be encouraged to do things, you only thought half possible, most of them will appear on your doorstep.  Whether University or Union led, Swansea does not believe in simply education.

I say this, because on my first night in Swansea, having played and loved football at a high level in Senior School, I broke my foot.  I had to find other things to complement my studies, and they all welcomed me with open arms.  I joined Geography Society, Scandinavian Society (no idea either), Xtreme Radio, History, and many others.  I lived with people who loved working hard and playing hard and made me laugh and cry.

I, like the rest of the Officer Team, can't wait to meet you all and share what has been a truly phenomenal experience for all of us, whether you made Swansea your first choice or if you're looking to apply through clearing (in fact half of the team came to Swansea through clearing!) 

We exist, to look out for, work for and make changes for all of our Students.  We truly have the best job in the world.

If you have any queries, you can follow me on Twitter - @upton_tom or pop me an email - president@swansea-union.co.uk.

Good Luck on Thursday and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the coming weeks!

Tom.