Reflecting on the Past and Present: My Academic Journey

When I look back at my initial venture into post-secondary education compared to where I stand now, it's like examining two entirely different chapters of my life.

My First Experience:

In my last year of high school, I found myself at a crossroads. My dreams of becoming a doctor had hit a roadblock due to my less-than-stellar Chemistry scores.

After chatting with a guidance counselor, I was left pondering my life's trajectory.

I opted for AP psychology as an elective, along with two other AP courses (a big shoutout to Mr. Harding, who taught one of them!).

It didn't take long for me to fall head over heels for psychology, driven by the notion that understanding myself better could help me assist others.

The decision was made: I wanted to become a psychologist, albeit one who could support individuals facing similar challenges.

My university journey started as a psychology major, but by my second year, I'd switched to Sociology. The notorious difficulty of the psych stats course, with many students failing and repeating it, prompted the change. Sociology's stats course was a much better fit, both in terms of content and instruction.

I graduated with a degree in Sociology, still unsure of my next steps. My aspiration was to work as a peer support worker, but my lack of experience proved to be a barrier. I also considered pursuing a master's in social work, but fierce competition and my rather modest CV led me to rethink that path.

Fortunately, I eventually secured a position at a nonprofit, not client-facing but integral to the organization's operations. Three years passed, and I continued to ponder my next move until I stumbled upon UX Design, a field I decided to wholeheartedly embrace.

My Second Experience:

With freelancing and several internships under my belt, I now feel far more prepared than when I initially embarked on my academic journey. (There were NO co-op options for Sociology!) I have a clear goal, having conducted extensive research before enrolling in my program.

One significant difference is that I began my studies in a pre-COVID era and am now navigating a post-COVID landscape.

Some notable disparities:

1. Availability of Online Courses: Initially, I WISHED for more online course options. Most were limited to 1000-level courses. Today, there's a wealth of online, flexible, and hybrid offerings, even at senior levels.

2. Online Orientations: The concept of online orientation would have seemed absurd a few years ago. During my freshman year in university, everything was strictly in person. Now, the flexibility of choice reigns supreme, with both in-person and online orientations available. This is especially beneficial for international students with late flights who struggle to make it in time.

3. Block-Level Registration: Whether it's a college innovation or a response to COVID, I'm not sure, but the ability to select schedules based on blocks (A, B, C) has been a game-changer. It's a far cry from the tedious manual course registration process.

That's a snapshot of my journey so far, and I'll continue to share updates on my college adventure, every step of the way.

Thanks all for this week! Have an amazing day!