From a very young age, society has ingrained into us, as youth, that we must know exactly what our future beholds when we enter university. Questions from “What do you want to be when you grow up?” to “What degree do you plan on coming out with your university education?” are quite familiar as people have been asking similar questions from the minute we entered the education system. So, what do you respond with? For some, the answer comes easily, but for others they simply don’t know yet.

No matter what your situation may be, choosing a university can be a tough choice. In the beginning, I had no idea where I wanted to go to school. However, after carefully choosing a university that was right for me, I am now a second year student at Trent University Durham and would not have it any other way.

I often get asked why I chose Trent. Although a complex question in itself, my main reasoning is quite simple.

Trent University allows students the flexibility to choose a degree that is completely unique to them. As a first year student, I did not know exactly what disciplines I was interested in so I took a wide variety of subjects including history, psychology, sociology and gender studies. This allowed me the opportunity to fully explore all of my options.

One suggestion that I have for prospective students is to leave yourself open to the fact that you might change your program entirely. Looking back at high school, Students who come in as a Psychology major may change their mind completely and end up coming out with a degree in English Literature. I would have never thought my interest would be in Canadian Women’s History. At Trent University, we as students are encouraged to explore many different options and open ourselves up to the possibility of all disciplines in order to find our true passion. I was able to use the flexibility that Trent offered and major in history, while taking courses in Indigenous studies and psychology at the same time.

Apart from flexibility, a degree from Trent University exposes you to such an enormous amount of opportunity. From being able to think critically about the world we live in, to being part of a student government, to getting a job on campus, Trent University Durham has allowed me to grow as an individual through the unique opportunities it has offered. When entering university, I never thought that my professors would know me by name. At Trent they do. Their personal interest in my success has benefitted me already as I have been pushed beyond my boundaries to become a better student.

Trent University Durham has given me, along with many others, an educational experience that I am truly passionate about and a university that I am proud to attend.

Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2014.