... and why you should too!

By Halei Douglas, RLSC President (Ellerslie & Lyddon Hall)

When I first arrived at the University of Leeds, I knew I wanted to get involved in something straight away. During arrival, I was already looking at different opportunities, and the Residence Life Social Committee (RLSC) stood out, especially the President role. 

I’d been part of Girlguiding before, so I was used to organising activities and pulling events together quickly. Because of that, I felt ready to take on something with real responsibility. Looking back, joining the RLSC has been one of the best decisions I’ve made at uni. 

The reality of being an RLSC member 

Being RLSC President isn’t just about showing up to events - it’s about planning, managing, and making sure everything comes together. 

 As a team, we meet weekly (we chose Wednesdays as this worked well for us), and what we do can look very different depending on the stage we’re at. 

Sometimes we’re deep in planning new events where we will be thinking about themes, budgeting, and logistics. Other times, we’re executing events and making sure everything runs smoothly on the day. 

One thing I’ve learned is how important time management is! There’s a lot to juggle, and as President, you really do play a part in everything. That responsibility can feel like a lot at first, but it’s also what makes it so rewarding. 

The joys of being in the RLSC 

For me, the best feeling is simple: seeing people enjoy what you’ve created. 

When you get positive feedback after an event with people telling you they had a great time or met new friends, it makes all the effort worth it. That’s what sticks with you and I have also been able to make some great friends as part of the RLSC too. 

A lot of what we do comes down to the vibe of the residence. Every hall is different, and you start to pick up on what people want just by being part of that community. 

The committee has definitely helped people get to know each other. That sense of belonging is a big part of what RLSC is about, and it’s something you really feel when events go well. 

The events I’ve loved most 

Running big events has definitely been a highlight. Things like our Halloween party and Winter Ball stand out the most. 

There are always challenges such as sorting venues, managing numbers, dealing with last-minute issues that arise, but that’s part of the experience. When everything finally comes together, it’s such a good feeling knowing you made it happen. 

At the same time, I’ve realised how important smaller events are too. It’s easy to focus on big parties, but smaller, more relaxed events can build really strong connections. Not everything has to be about going out, things like community activities, sports, or even awards events can make a huge difference to how people feel in their halls. 

Developing my skills 

This role has changed how I think about leadership. 

I used to think you could do a lot behind the scenes, but I’ve realised how important it is to be front and centre where you can bring energy, connect with people, and support your team. It’s also made me appreciate how important it is to spend time building relationships within the Committee itself. 

At the end of the day, it’s about creating a sense of belonging—not just for residents, but for your team too. 

Navigating the unexpected 

It’s not always easy. One of the more unexpected challenges has been managing the budget and making sure you actually use it effectively across the year! 

I also think it’s easy to go in assuming the big events matter most, but I wish I’d known earlier how impactful smaller events can be. They often create closer, more meaningful connections. 

Advice for future Committees  

If there’s one thing I’d like to see future Committees, it’s strong communication between residences. Having group chats or shared spaces where committees can connect makes such a difference and it helps ideas flow and keeps everyone aligned as you can ask what residences want to see rather than guessing.  

Why you should join 

For me, RLSC has been about more than just events. It’s about shaping people’s experience at university. 

You get to bring people together, create moments they’ll remember, and build a real sense of community in your halls. At the same time, you develop skills in leadership, teamwork, and organisation without even realising it. 

If you’re thinking about joining, I would say - do it! It’s a lot of work, but it’s honestly one of the most rewarding things you can be part of at Leeds and now I am excited to be moving into a new position as Residence Life Assistance, getting to take what I have learned and continue to support students in halls.