Choices are so fundamental to the entire University experience. You'll obviously make a few bad ones, but hopefully most of them will be good. But most importantly, I hope most of them will be wise.
I don't think I've ever been quite so overwhelmed with choices, or the consequences of choices. First off, I made the decision to pass up a role in this year's production of "The Wizard of Oz" in favor of attending a Model United Nations Conference put on by McGill University in Montreal. Both were big time commitments, just in different ways. The Wizard of Oz was really quite spread out, but McMUN was one big event that took me away from classes and got me behind in work in a significant way. McMUN was so awesome though; I got to know a lot of students from MTA I hadn't known before, and got to meet tons of students from all across Canada, the US and parts of Europe too. I'd never been to a Model UN conference before, and it was a fantastic first experience. Montreal is a fabulous city too, and I mean hey, the parties were a pretty good time too, haha.
But that 17 hour train ride home was a long one, what with writing a paper for my Western Religions class and thinking about the mountain of reading I had waiting for me back in my room. And upon my arrival not only was there reading for me to do; oh no, there was much much more. I had a midterm this week, I have 3 next week, an Economics assignment due on Tuesday and all kinds of extracurriculars going on too. A few of us from the Swing Society are putting together a swing dance routine for Mount Allison's JUMP Campaign, and we're rehersing several times a week. As part of the External Affairs Committee, I'm helping to plan a national day of action that involves asking the provincial government to give more funding to universities in order to reduce tuition fees, making post-secondary more affordable for everyone. So yeah, if you want some advice, never leave Sackville for 5 days, haha.
Now, those are all the consequences of one simple choice I made back in... November? Haha, that seems like aaaages ago now. And speaking of that, it's February 1st! Where the heck did all of January go? They've already released the April Exam Schedule, and that's a little bit scary for me. I mean, I'm almost done 1st year... It's passed by soo quickly, it's unreal! Only two more months of classes and I'm leaving for 4 months. Funny how I don't even want to leave this place. I'd rather stay here I think, than have to leave my friends and my boyfriend for 4 months... My boyfriend, Fraser, is from Alberta, and he's hoping to spend part of his summer in Quebec on a French Language Exchange and the other part either back home, or in British Columbia at a children's camp. As for me, I have an interview at the end of this month for a position as a Parliamentary Guide in Ottawa, which would be absolutely phenomenal! But saying goodbye to everyone all over again? Ouf, I'm not looking forward to that. Not at all.
Hrm, now where was I actually planning on going with this? ... Oh! Yeah! Choices... Fun fun fun. Fum fum fum. Isn't that a Christmas song? ... Moving on. Yeah, choices! Now see, as I mentioned before, I live in Harper Hall, the most supercool residence there is, and probably ever will be. Yeah, we're that cool. Anywho, considering my absolute passion and love for this residence, I was planning on running as President of House Council this year. However, I also applied to be a Residence Assistance, which would also allow me to express my love for this place. Sooo, here's the catch. I had an interview for the RA position, and I've been offered the position, but, I have to let them know if I accept it by Monday, February 5! The elections for House Council only happen the week after that, so if I want to run for President, I have to refuse the RA position. But what if I don't win the election? Then I'm left with no position at all, which would be really kind of crappy. Sooo, I'm leaning towards the RA position as of now. You get paid a whole lot more, which is cool. But you don't plan sweet parties. But you can help. This is going in circles, totally pointless. I think I should call my Mum, she's super wise. (I know what you're thinking. In high school, I didn't think my parents knew much about what it was like to be a teenager. But, unfortunately and fortunately, they actually do. I guess we just listen better when we're 4 hours away.)
So, what have I learned these past few weeks? Let's see.
1. Make choices based on what you want the most.
2. Be prepared to handle what comes from those choices; be it good, or bad.
3. Never let yourself get overwhelmed. Step back, take a look at the big picture, but then focus on one assignment, one meeting, one day at a time.
4. Laugh a lot; it makes you feel amazing. I can thank my friend Ben for that.
5. Don't hold back. Get what you want.
Well, now that, that was cool. I think this blog is really good for me; it makes me reflect, take time to really sort things out and think, stuff I wouldn't normally find the time for. Awesome. You know what? I can do this. I can write these midterms, read all this stuff, pull off this dance, and smile the whole way through. What other choice do we have? Love life, that's it!
Always,
Sue
sjhumphrey@mta.ca
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