{"id":5026,"date":"2025-11-11T14:33:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T14:33:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/?p=5026"},"modified":"2025-11-11T14:33:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T14:33:28","slug":"5-reasons-why-i-think-queens-su-was-voted-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/2025\/11\/11\/5-reasons-why-i-think-queens-su-was-voted-1\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons Why I Think Queen&#8217;s SU was Voted #1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Queen&#8217;s Students&#8217; Union is based at the centre of campus, and it really is the heart of student life here at Queen&#8217;s University. So, it came as no surprise to me that our Union was voted number one by students. Here&#8217;s just a few reasons why I believe QSU is the deserved winner of this year&#8217;s What Uni Student Choice Awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"341\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-4663 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/05\/Blog-Images-02-1024x341.png\" style=\"object-position:57% 100%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"57% 100%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/05\/Blog-Images-02-1024x341.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/05\/Blog-Images-02-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/05\/Blog-Images-02-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/05\/Blog-Images-02.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-black-background-color has-background-dim-30 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-3de9dc54b0e04b9d89aad0da1d0bf807 wp-block-paragraph\">1. So Many Opportunities,  So Little Time!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With over 240 <a href=\"https:\/\/home.q-su.org\/club-socs\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/home.q-su.org\/club-socs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Clubs and Societies<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/VolunteerSU\/Opportunities\/HandyHelpers\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/VolunteerSU\/Opportunities\/HandyHelpers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">volunteering<\/a> opportunities, <a href=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/EnterpriseSU\/Opportunities\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/EnterpriseSU\/Opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">business programmes<\/a> and competitions&#8230; the Students&#8217; Union has so many extracurricular activities to choose from, and plenty of opportunities to upskill, boost your CV and get ready for life beyond uni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-5044 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/Pic-163-1024x683.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/Pic-163-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/Pic-163-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/Pic-163-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/Pic-163-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/Pic-163-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-black-background-color has-background-dim-40 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-813d050f5a67a57f493a3043dee37444 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It&#8217;s got loads of                        Home Comforts<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What\u2019s great about the SU, is that there\u2019s not only study spaces to take advantage of in between lectures, but it contains everything you may need access to during a busy day on campus.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I can use the free lockers when I travel into campus, grab a free tea or coffee in the SU Lounge, and pick a space to either grab food with friends, catch up on some work or decompress after a lecture (the sofas opposite the Union Shop are my personal go-to, they\u2019re sooo comfortable!).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-5032 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/IMG_0911-1024x768.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/IMG_0911-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/IMG_0911-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/IMG_0911-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/IMG_0911-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/IMG_0911-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-black-background-color has-background-dim-30 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-77f88c92fee8410130136e3cd3a9f5c2 wp-block-paragraph\">3. There&#8217;s lots of Student Support to Make Use Of<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only does the SU have a team of advisers, with a wealth of experience to help students with any worries or issues we may have, but the building\u2019s support extends to helping students through the cost-of-living crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ground floor is home to <a href=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/costofliving\/ThePantryFreeRefillStation\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/costofliving\/ThePantryFreeRefillStation\/\">The Pantry<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/YourUnion\/EatDrinkShop\/SUSwapShop\/#d.en.3274805\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/YourUnion\/EatDrinkShop\/SUSwapShop\/#d.en.3274805\">Swap Shop<\/a>; two services that work to make student life more affordable. By providing free refills of household essentials, and a space to swap your pre-loved clothing items for other pre-loved pieces. It\u2019s like Vinted in real life, what\u2019s not to love!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-5033 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/k-41-1024x683.jpg\" style=\"object-position:50% 33%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"50% 33%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/k-41-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/k-41-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/k-41-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/k-41-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/k-41-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-black-background-color has-background-dim-20 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-91a2f09fd6f871d9070a089e6928f908 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Fantastic Free Events  (Day and Night!)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a buzz in the SU air through all hours of the day, with <a href=\"https:\/\/home.q-su.org\/whatson\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/home.q-su.org\/whatson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lots of events<\/a> taking place weekly. From Clubs &amp; Socs meetups to quizzes and karaoke in The Union Bar, to free ice cream sundaes in the foyer \u2013 I\u2019m always browsing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/queensstudentsunion\/?next=%2F\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/queensstudentsunion\/?next=%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Union\u2019s Insta<\/a> weekly &#8216;What\u2019s On&#8217; posts to see what I can go to!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-5034 size-full\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/council.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/council.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/council-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/10\/council-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-black-background-color has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">5. It&#8217;s a Union that Listens<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aside from freebies and fun, the Union prioritises making student voices heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> It\u2019s a space for students to actively engage in shaping our university experience. QSU\u2019s \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/home.q-su.org\/voice\/ideas\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/home.q-su.org\/voice\/ideas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Suggest an Idea<\/a>\u2019 page allows students to submit our ideas, desires and needs for a better university experience; these are then voted and acted upon throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On top of this, the team of <a href=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/YourUnion\/MeettheTeam\/StudentOfficers\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/YourUnion\/MeettheTeam\/StudentOfficers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Student Officers<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/studentvoice\/Representatives\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/q-su.org\/studentvoice\/Representatives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Student Representatives<\/a> bring the student voice straight to the decision makers, working to turn our feedback into real action.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a sea of Students&#8217; Unions, QSU has been recognised for standing out. Not only for the range of services and vibrant community, but because it&#8217;s obvious that students are at the forefront of everything they do.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From passionate Student Officers who listen and act, to reps who ensure voice is heard, Queen\u2019s SU embodies what I believe a union should be: responsive, inclusive, and impactful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Guest blog by Sophie Bleakley, Masters in Media and Broadcast Production Student.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Queen&#8217;s Students&#8217; Union is based at the centre of campus, and it really is the heart of student life here at Queen&#8217;s University. So, it came as no surprise to me that our Union was voted number one by students. Here&#8217;s just a few reasons why I believe QSU is the deserved winner of this [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4824,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,112,66],"tags":[35,60,61,96,15,130,40],"class_list":["post-5026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-student-life","category-students","category-upskilling-opportunities","tag-advice","tag-clubs","tag-societies","tag-studentlife","tag-students","tag-things-to-do","tag-wellbeing","czr-hentry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/06\/QUB_010922_3450a-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6B2ST-1j4","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5026"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5026\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5132,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5026\/revisions\/5132"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentsunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}