When I first made the decision to go to university, it was such an overwhelming experience. There were so many moving pieces that I had to figure out where to put and I felt like I had not nearly enough time to be able to realistically figure it all out. This was a time where I was facing a lot of endings and beginnings in my life. I was leaving home for the first time, I had just finished high school, I had left my first part time job. I was choosing which university to go to - a university that, seeing as I was going to live on campus, would be my home for the next four years. I was figuring out my options as far as a part time job on or near campus would be (which I obviously couldn’t start doing properly yet, seeing as I didn’t even know which university I was going to go to at that point). 

Thankfully, I did work it all out. And today, as a full time university student I can say that I did end up making all the right decisions for myself surrounding university and my quality of life during my time here. I live on campus. I teach foreign exchange students how to learn to speak English in my spare time and I work at a great little book store on campus.

The support in every aspect I needed

One of my favourite parts about being a university student is that there are built in support networks on campus as well as external options if students feel more comfortable going through avenues that are not linked to the university. This is a massive tick because university is rewarding of course but it can also be quite challenging. Sometimes, a therapy session or even just a catch up with a support group of other students and a guidance counsellor on campus is exactly what you need to get some clarity.

How the ups and downs have shaped me

This journey has been both challenging and rewarding and it continues to be so. The support is great, however this is also a university that understands and wholly embodies the ideal of challenging its students to become the best individuals that they can be. The ups and downs of this academic journey have shaped me in positive ways through even some of the most challenging times throughout my years here. As a result, I have an excited approach to what is going to come my way - and what I am going to go after - once graduation happens and this chapter of my life closes.

The confidence I have going forward

Thanks largely to the supportive environment at university, I feel more prepared and more confidence in my future than I ever have before. This is a freeing feeling that I can honestly say is also one that I genuinely feel like I would not have gotten without this university and the role that it has played in my journey over these last four years.