As I sit down at my laptop to write my editorial for the final issue of the Wessex Scene under my charge, I am feeling more than a touch of sadness. Even more so than sitting in my last ever lecture, the handing in of my final essay, or even finishing my dissertation - all surprisingly sad moments - writing this article really makes it feel like the end. As I type, the final issue is almost finished - only requiring a few photographs, some minor tweaking, and this self-indulgent ramble - and then that is it for me.

Looking back at my time so far in Southampton, the Wessex Scene has been a major part of my life for the last two years; yet when I first arrived here I couldn’t even imagine being a part of something like this. As a fresher I was too scared to even try and write something, let alone send it in. When I turned up at the elections at the end of my first year, I went with no hope or expectation; I had for some bizarre reason decided to just take a chance. Now, every single time I walk around campus I feel huge pride seeing someone pick up a copy of the Wessex Scene and read it, knowing that I have had something to do with putting it together. I can’t help but bring up the Wessex Scene in conversation because I want everyone to at least take a look at it - even if I have to persuade them!

I love the hard work that comes with the paper, and there have been experiences this year that I am not sure I would have been able to cope with had it not been there for me to throw myself into and forget everything else. I could not possibly count the many hours I have spent in the media resources basement, or how many of those were simply spent watching Adam Parker fiddling with little things no one but he would notice. I wouldn’t change this for anything though, because the end result has always been worth it.

If any of you are reading this and thinking that you could do a much better job, get involved and write something for the new team next year. There are so many students at this University, with many different beliefs and interests - the quality and diversity of the content you read all depends on what we get sent. The range and depth of the articles I already receive every week continues to amaze me; you lovely people have set an incredibly high standard of journalism with your thought-provoking and entertaining articles that continue to allow the voice of the student body to be heard, and I thank every one of you who has ever submitted something.

The EVA’s were a celebration of this student involvement, and an incredibly emotional night for me. I was honoured to be recognised for my hard work, along with four other members of the editorial team, and so proud to see Sophie and James win Writer of the Year and Editor of the Year respectively. Seeing the amazing work everyone has done this year in all areas of SUSU media, I feel privileged to have been a part of it. Those who had the misfortune to run into me that night will be well aware of this, but I will repeat it again anyway - I love every single person I have worked with this year and am so proud of each and every one of them.

The Wessex Scene has come a long way since my first issue, and I am so happy and so proud of everything the editorial team and I have done, and everything we have achieved. Hopefully the new team will build on and improve everything we have created, and I wish them good luck with this. As hard as it is for me to ‘handover’ the Wessex Scene, I know that I am leaving it in capable hands, and I hope you to continue to read and enjoy it next year if you are here.