How to Become Class President

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Start early if you want to win the class president election. Join student council and other clubs, get good grades , and be friendly and authentic. Create a slogan and campaign materials, and talk to everyone about your campaign. Spread your campaign message, and soon you will have the most votes !

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Setting an Example

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  1. early by being kind to everyone. [1] Class presidents are usually popular, well-liked, and trustworthy people. Start developing these traits by being friendly towards other students, teachers, and school staff. Do this all the time, and you will be well liked among your network.
    • This will help you gain popularity before you run for president.
  2. Try for offices like secretary or treasurer. You likely won’t get elected president your freshman year, but run for other offices to get your foot in the door. These positions usually have less competition, and you can start to learn what it’s like to have be in the council. [2]
    • For example, you can get elected as Treasurer during your freshmen year, then Secretary your sophomore year, then Vice President your junior year.
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  3. [3] Pick clubs that you are genuinely interested in or passionate about. Join a few different clubs to meet many new and diverse people.
  4. Students elect a class president who is responsible, smart, and capable. Start working on these traits early by getting good grades and showing initiative. Participate in class discussions, and don’t fall asleep in class. [5]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Building Your Campaign

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  1. Think about what makes you unique and what you are good at. Also consider what you could improve upon. Examining both your strengths and weaknesses helps you focus on what you can offer your peers.
    • Are you a really great leader? Are you great with problem solving? Think about why you are the best candidate!
    • Do you have a hard time focusing? Could you spend more time studying? Think about small personal changes you can make in order to be the best class president, like time management, stress reduction, and attention to detail.
  2. Ask yourself what is working and what isn’t the best around your school. Get to the core of the issue. Base your campaign around the issues that register most with you. [6]
    • For example, perhaps students are really upset about the new dress code policy.
    • Maybe students would like more diverse lunch options. Is this a result of student lunch costs? Or faculty decisions? Who would you help by working on this issue?
  3. Think about the cause of the issues and what you can do about it, practically. Some things may be out of control, while you may be just the person to make it better. Brainstorm solutions to revisit when you are pitching your campaign. [7]
    • Make a list of things you can do, like speaking up for students who are bullied or talking to the principal on behalf of a nervous freshman.
  4. Write a recognizable and unique slogan . Your slogan can be short and simple, like “Trevor for President.” You can get creative and say something like, “Holly will help you!” You can use your slogan to market yourself, so create a slogan that people will remember you by. [8]
  5. You can make your gear at home, or you can get them printed online or at a print shop. List details like your slogan and name, and remember to mention “for class president.” The number you make depends on your budget, though make a bunch to give out to everyone! [9]
    • Make your gear at home by printing out labels and using the labels as your “stickers.” Stick your labels on buttons or pencils and distribute them.
    • If you can afford it, make one sticker or handout per student in your class. If your class size is 300, make 300 stickers.
  6. Find a sponsor to cover costs, if you are able to. Creating your campaign can get expensive quick, between printing shirts and hanging posters. Ask around local businesses to sponsor your campaign.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Gaining Support

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  1. Step out of your comfort zone to connect with new people. Building relationships is important to win votes, so connect with people you don't know well yet. You can connect with groups and individuals. Try joining new clubs or after school activities. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people too!
    • Maybe you have played the trumpet for 3 years and already have the band kids’ votes. Try the orchestra or choir instead!
    • Maybe you play softball and know the team will vote for you. What about the guys football team?
  2. Whether you are in the lunch line or waiting for the bus, any opportunity is a good one to make a connection with a potential voter. Talk to students you haven’t met yet. Ask them what they care about around the school, and offer your solutions to the problems they find. This will make a genuine connection. [10]
    • What are your peers really upset about? What do they think can be improved upon? Getting feedback from others to fully understand the issue and solve it as best as you can.
  3. You can also talk to your school’s staff about ways you can help. Your teachers and administrators can offer ideas and suggestions to put your ideas in motion. Talk to teachers from different grade levels, speak to the school counselor, and consider trying to meet with the principal.
  4. You can write out your slogan and a few campaign points. Print out a bunch of posters and hang them around your school. You can also hand them out during lunch or before or after class. [11]
    • Start with around 50 posters and plan on making extras as needed.
    • You can print your posters with a computer and home printer or get them professionally printed at a print shop.
  5. Talk to your friends, teachers, and administration. The more people who you connect with, the better. When it comes to campaign time, you want as many people as possible to remember your name. [12]
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Winning the Election

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  1. Prepare an awesome speech . If your school allows class president speeches, prepare one to wow your listeners. Introduce yourself, mention why you want to president, and mention how you want to solve some key issues. End your speech with your campaign slogan. [13]
    • Keep your speech about 2-3 minutes long.
    • Give different versions of your speech for different conversations. For example, when you meet someone new on the bus, you can introduce yourself and mention what you would do if you are elected president.
  2. Print out more posters, hand out more T-shirts, and post on social media the days before the election. You want to rake in as many last minute votes as you can. Who else can you convince before election day?
  3. On the day of the election, dress in something that makes you feel confident, yet professional. Assure yourself that you have tried your best and prepared thoroughly. Your hard work all comes down to this, so be confident that you are the best choice for class president!
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I prepare for my campaign speech?
    Katie Styzek
    School Counselor
    Katie Styzek is a Professional School Counselor for Chicago Public Schools. Katie earned a BS in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She served as a middle school mathematics, science, and social studies teacher for three years prior to becoming a counselor. She holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling from DePaul University and an MA in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. Katie holds an Illinois School Counselor Endorsement License (Type 73 Service Personnel), an Illinois Principal License (formerly Type 75), and an Illinois Elementary Education Teaching License (Type 03, K – 9). She is also Nationally Board Certified in School Counseling from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
    Katie Styzek
    School Counselor
    Expert Answer
    I recommend you join debate club or a similar club that focuses on public speaking.
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    Not Helpful 13 Helpful 7
  • Question
    What do I do if I'm running against someone who's better than me when trying to become class president?
    Community Answer
    They're not "better than you." Draw attention to the differences between the two of you, particularly in your platform (the way you will handle the issues). Focus on your best qualities. Tell people how you plan to be a good class president and how your background has prepared you for the role. Stay positive. If you're down on yourself, it will be really hard to convince others to vote for you.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 64
  • Question
    Can the class president be a joker?
    Community Answer
    You can be a joker, but you have to know when and how to buckle down and get serious to get things done.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Make realistic promises within your authority. Don't say you'll do impossible things like provide all-day recess, or else you'll lose credibility.
      • Show you can handle the job by displaying confidence, leadership skills, and readiness for the presidency's challenges and responsibilities.
      • Bring up important student issues and solutions you can implement. Give multiple reasons to vote for you over opponents.
      • Don't brag or put others down. Stay positive — it looks better than acting arrogant or spreading rumors.
      • If you lose, be publicly happy for the winner even if you're bummed privately. Be a good sport.
      • Phrase promises like "If I were president..." so you don't have to keep them if not elected.
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      References

      1. ↑ Katie Styzek. School Counselor. Expert Interview. 28 October 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.bentley.edu/news/12-reasons-why-you-should-join-student-organization
      3. ↑ Katie Styzek. School Counselor. Expert Interview. 28 October 2020.
      4. ↑ Katie Styzek. School Counselor. Expert Interview. 28 October 2020.
      5. ↑ Katie Styzek. School Counselor. Expert Interview. 28 October 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.endvawnow.org/en/articles/1197-key-elements-of-an-effective-campaign-strategy.html?next=1190
      7. ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/brainstorming/
      8. ↑ https://slc.berkeley.edu/writing-worksheets-and-other-writing-resources/quote-analysis%E2%80%94-easy-way
      9. ↑ https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/advocacy-principles/overview/main
      1. ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/article/9-strategies-getting-more-students-talk/
      2. ↑ https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/participation/promoting-interest/communication-plan/main
      3. ↑ https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/practice/Pages/insight-feedback.aspx
      4. ↑ https://www.smith.edu/sites/default/files/media/Documents/Alumnae-Relations/class-president-guide.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To become class president, make friends with a lot of your fellow students by joining clubs and being friendly and outgoing. As you're getting to know people, try to find out what school issues they care about the most so you can address them in your campaign. Then, come up with solutions to solve those issues and campaign on them. Also, make some campaign gear, like t-shirts, buttons, and signs, to help get your name out there. Finally, remind everyone you see to vote on election day. To learn more, such as how to give a speech to persuade others to vote for you, keep reading!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Scarlet Mena

        Mar 25, 2017

        "This article helped me a little. I was not voted in as class president, but I am the person who replaces the class ..." more
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