Student Government 101: Cracking the Code to Student Government

Written by Mahnoor, Class of 2028 and UPchieve student volunteer. We love sharing student voices to highlight leadership, service, and the power of students making an impact.

Thinking About Running?

Are you interested in running for your school’s student government? Do you want to know how to campaign successfully and multiply your chances of being elected? This article will share tried-and-true strategies to give you the best chance at winning the position you want. By following these tips, you’ll be able to run your campaign with confidence.

Step 1: Choosing Your Position

The first step is to decide which position you want to run for. The key is to begin by identifying your abilities and strengths. 

For example:

• Are you good with numbers? Consider treasurer.

• Strong at note-taking and organization? Think secretary.

• A natural leader and planner? President might be for you.

Additionally, you want to be realistic about how much time you can commit to student government, since some positions are more demanding than others. Knowing both your abilities and your availability will help you pick the right role.

Step 2: Posters that Pop

With a specific position set as your objective, you can now begin the campaign. It’s best to launch your campaign starting with your posters. Posters will ultimately give you more recognition and show people who you are as a candidate. 

Your posters should include:

• Your name

• A picture of you

• The position you’re running for

• Specific promises you can keep

• Your past experience and qualifications

If you plan to increase the amount of dress downs, include that, or if you plan to add more sports, include that. However, keep in mind to only mention promises that you are completely sure you can keep. Additionally, showcasing your past experiences and other qualifications can help build credibility. 

Design-wise, posters should be bright, eye-catching, and easy to read. Tools like Canva make it simple to create professional-looking designs you can print. Place them in high-traffic areas of your school so more students will see them. With a poster formulated for success, your odds of getting into the student government have already increased.

Step 3: Create a Memorable Video

More often than not, a campaign video may also be required as part of your campaign. Your video should summarize you as a candidate in a creative way. The duration should not be too long, but not so short that it doesn’t sufficiently show who you are. Your video should have all the same elements as your posters: your name, the position you’re running for, what you plan to do as a candidate, and your past experiences. Make your video in a way that will set you apart from other candidates. Whether it’s the editing style or the content itself, you want to make your video a fresh sight for the viewers, as it’ll make it more memorable, and overall more beneficial for your favor. 

Step 4: Deliver a Strong Speech

The third component of your campaign is the speech. The speech can often make or break your campaign, which is why it’s so important to have a strong speech. In your speech, you want to:

• Introduce yourself as a candidate and as a person

• Share why you’re the best choice

• Include specific plans, not vague promises

• Add lighthearted moments to connect with your audience

Ultimately, you want to tell people why they should vote for you. What do you have that the other candidates don’t? What sets you apart? 

You also want to tell people what you plan to do if you get elected, and it’s best to give them specific points and not general ones. For example, instead of saying you’re going to make the year more memorable if you’re elected, tell them how exactly you’re going to do that, such as by planning quarterly events. The speech is a decisive moment in your campaign; it is the last thing voters will have in their minds before they vote. 

Step 5: Build Real Connections

Throughout your campaign, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to build connections. Make genuine connections and friendships with people whom you may not have known or talked to before. Talk to people and get to know them, and give them the opportunity to know who you are in turn. Building these connections with your classmates can greatly boost the effectiveness of your campaign.

After You’re Elected

When you get elected to student government, it’s time to uphold your promises and be the person people chose you to be. Maintain the connections you made previously and make sure you’re an affable and approachable person. Do your best in inquiring what changes and additions students want to see. Show up to every meeting you can and play an active role during it, give suggestions, and advocate for student voices. Overall, you want to stay on top of your responsibilities. 

Final Thoughts

To run a successful campaign for student government, you want to showcase why you’re the best candidate. You want to pick a position strategically, make appealing posters, a unique campaign video, and a pivotal speech. Throughout the campaign, you want to show who you are and what you have to offer. These key points will give you the best chance of being selected.

Bonus: Connect Student Government with UPchieve

If you’re passionate about leadership and service, student government isn’t the only way to make an impact. You can also use your platform to bring free tutoring to your classmates through UPchieve, a nonprofit that provides 24/7 online academic help for middle and high school students.

Here are a few ideas:

• Volunteer: Sign up as an UPchieve tutor to earn service hours while directly helping other students succeed.

• Spread the word: Share UPchieve at school assemblies, club meetings, or on social media so more students know free help is available.

• Collaborate: Use student government resources to host study nights, then promote UPchieve as a tool for ongoing support.

Linking your leadership role with UPchieve helps strengthen your school community and shows you’re a student leader who goes beyond campaigning to create real opportunities for your peers.

About the Author

Mahnoor, Class of 2028, has been a member of the SGA since her freshman year. She is well known among her classmates for her great personality and leadership skills.