My First Weeks At Vanier College
There is a huge dilemma many students are facing at this time of year, and no it’s not only the huge line at the Jake’s Coop bookstore. It lies more in the social aspect; do you remain comfortable with your old high school friends, or do you look to expand who you’re acquainting with.
Frankly, I was tremendously nervous on the first day. I didn’t quite know what to expect, I felt like a tourist in my own city. The newspaper crew welcomed me with open arms to eat my lunch with them. It can feel overwhelming to start over somewhere new. You don’t know how to act in this new environment, and the hallways of your high school seem pretty cozy right now. You previously were at the top of the ladder and now you’re back to being a rookie. You may experience doubt about whether you’re good enough to even be here. Know you are more than good enough and have every right to be here. It can be detrimental to look around you and think about how everyone else seems to have it all put together. The reality is we’re all in the same boat. Everyone is facing their own individual struggles, you are not alone. We’re all just striving for success.
Even if extracurricular activities may not be your “thing” I recommend trying at least one, you won’t regret it. It’s an excellent place to meet new friends and to take a break from school work.
On Omnivox, Vanier frequently posts events that occur at the college. If you don’t have much time on your hands, then this may be a better option for you as you can still actively participate in collegial activities on your own schedule. For example, on Wednesday, September 19th VSCA is hosting a clubs day, be sure to check it out in Jakes!
College is a huge adjustment where it is about finding the perfect balance. The most important thing to consider is time management. Allocate yourself enough time to complete all your schoolwork, and don’t forget to include leisure time. It isn’t healthy to put yourself under so much pressure and not take some time for yourself every once in a while.
This is only the beginning of your journey, whether that be adulthood, finding out your true identity or pursuing a new career, we are all at the start.
Take a moment and a good look at yourself in the mirror; is this really the person you want to be. If your first thought was no, then I believe you may have some life choices to reconsider. It’s time to get out of your comfort zone and be the one to initiate change, instead of just remaining a bystander to life’s complexities.
Written By: Stephanie Mallick Pilon
