Making a Splash; Entering a Proverbial Pool

To one enter a body of water; a lake or stream there are several different methods one can take. An individual may choose to edge in, testing the water with one of their digits, then ease in gradually. One could also approach the body, find it intimidating, and simply refuse the challenge. Someone who is looking to make the most of their time will tell you though - take a run,  jump in, and be submerged. Make a splash while you’re at it.

On my first day at the U of A, I knew next to no-one on campus. Its almost inexplicable the feeling one can get when there are thousands of faces surrounding you, all unfamiliar. For this reason, I felt some relief when on the sidewalk in fluorescent chalk I saw scrawled “Campus for Christ 2-115 EDU Friday 4PM.” Being of a similar religious background to this group, I have found they have acted as an enabler, allowing me to enter the proverbial pool quickly and with a splash, and I will say, thus far the water has been welcoming. 

Each friday I meet with this group, and we worship. Thank God for all that he has given us on this beautiful university in this wonderful country. We pray. Pray that those who are being challenged may overcome their weakness with the help of God and reach better times. It is such a great feeling after a long week of work to be with a group of kind folks singing around a camp fire, playing frisbee golf, or planking on the hill by HUB international because you want a really epic photo for your group scavenger hunt. 

To all attending university, the best advice I can give at this point, is be sure to study hard, but also be sure to have some fun and find a group where you really fit that will help you make the most of your years. 

"Jump" 

Make a splash and find where you fit in your enviornment

1st Year Arts: The Yaggey Edition, Take 2.5

Hellooooo all! I know today wasn't my original day to post something but I just had to share something with you all. You know that feeling you get, the "oh no, oh no, oh no, please god don't tell me I did that wrong" feeling? Ya... I had a moment like that today. So I handed in my first History assignment (it's only worth 3% but still) and we discussed it in class. It was then and there that, silly me, I mis-interpreted the assignment and wrote part one ON THE WRONG THING!!!! now I know some of you are probably laughing at my misfortune, but tell me you wouldn't be tempted to go up to your prof, perhaps even begging, for him or her to give you a second chance? Now I didn't do that this time, but let me tell you, I am DEFINITELY going to read A LOT more carefully for next time lol.

Sincerely,

The Idiot Who Didn't Read Assignment Instructions Properly...

An Academic Experience in BDES

“Draw Rembrandt out of your page; call it and it will come to you.” These are the approximate words of my Art 136 professor, Daniela Schluter as she expertly coached our fundamentals class in setting the foundation for the work we do in the next four years. 

In my hand is a paint brush sheathed in a layer of india ink; a blank double-weight paper taunts me from below as if saying “try me; your first stroke will fall off its mark.”

So much I have come to enjoy this challenge, it is my intent to overcome inhibitions and fear. My experience illustrates that the biggest and in some cases arguably only limitation is ones-self. 

I set the brush forth, a series of strokes rendered onto the page. My eyes rest on the subject; only an occasional flit to the page confirms progress. The work is soon complete; it looks decently improved from my piece the day prior. 

This piece is relatively analogous to what have found thus far at the U of A. Your education is now exactly as you make it; the nothing less, nothing more. The opportunities are numerous. Get past the fact a Psychology 104 class with  over four-hundred can be daunting, past worrying about learning the layout of the campus. With time an equilibrium will be established between everything done while still being sociable and meeting people. I myself am committed to making the most of my time, and as a student/potential student or wherever else you might fall, I would hope you are too.

Dawning Descent

The ascent to success is a both a challenge and a reward; no matter the route you choose

1st year Arts: The Yaggey Edition, Take 2

"Hey there how are ya? Well, I'm not too bad, thank you..." blah blah blah. Sometimes, I'm a shy person, and especially now since I'm in a new environment, TOTALLY different from any schooling I've ever had before. Today I saw kids (well, young adults now) that have been friends with my younger brother since early childhood and it dawned on me... We are all in our first year together. Me, two years older than them. But you know what? It actually didn't bother me one bit, and thats because while I was in Switzerland, it really forced me to socialize and get to know people, older or younger than me. Age is just a number and now that I'm in my second week, I'm making new friends and I don't even care how old they are, or what year. It's all just numbers! And if you're feeling a little shy, try to be fun and joke a little bit, or just plainly come out of your comfort zone! You'd be surprised how far that can get you with other people, and you never know, you just may make a new friend right then and there. So enjoy yourself, whoever you're with, and just have the best experience you can have and NEVER hold back! Because if you do, you'll end up regretting it. Do everything you can because this is the time of our lives right now.

1st Year Arts: From a Panda's P.O.V.

So, here it is, my first official blog post. I really struggled with how to write this post and how I am going to introduce myself. Then I realized - this is kind of like walking into a room full of people I’ve never met. So I’ll introduce myself to you. I mean, that is the polite thing to do, right?

My name is Shelby Irwin. I am in my first year in the Faculty of Arts and I am trying to get into the Alberta School of Business. I came to the University of Alberta because I was offered the opportunity to be a member of the Panda’s Wrestling team after I won the 2011 Juvenile National Wrestling Championships.

Here is the link to my final match at nationals, http://youtu.be/RiQn_earIV4.

Because of my busy wrestling schedule (eight practices a week) I am only taking four classes: English, Math, Economics, and, Native Studies. Being in the Faculty of Arts gives me the opportunity to have a healthy balance between my academic, athletic, and social goals.

My goals:

1. Be accepted into the Alberta School of Business for Fall 2011

2. Win the Junior National Wrestling Championships and compete at Junior Worlds

3. Become an All-Canadian Academic

4. Have an amazing year

Until Next Time,

Shelby

1st Year Arts: The Yaggey Edition, Take 1

Hi my name is Brittney and I'm a first year faculty of arts student. I am 20 years old I am so excited for my university experience to finally start! Ever since I was a girl, it was my dream to go to the University of Alberta and now I'm finally living my dream. I would like to go into education later on to be either a high school teacher or a university professor, but i have no idea in what field yet lol. Up until a month ago, I was living in Frick, Switzerland for a year as an Au Pair (basically thats kinda like a nanny). It was so different from what I knew back home and I learnt a new independence I never had before. I also speak pretty much fluent German and Swiss German (they are very different!). But now that I'm back, I'm so very excited to begin taking my life where I want it to go! I attended the U of A orientation for mature students and it helped me so much with everything like my student one card all the way to finding my classes. And just today, I visited the One Card office in Cameron Library to put funds on my One Card. Everyone here at the university is just so helpful and I am just so grateful that this was the school I chose. Currently I get newsletters from The Health and Wellness Movement and I'm gonna start going to the campus pool and gym. Who doesn't love a healthy self? Anywhoodles, thats just a little bit about me and my life at university! Talk to you guys all soon!!

Pursing Passion; Intro to a BDES Student

To lose sight is to let time slip out of grasp; moments succumb to minutes, hours to days. In a jiffy one finds they've been caught upin life; bound by expectations and a monotonous hum of life that reverberates year by year. The fire to truly live is an ambition lit by human condition itself. To pursue ones dreams; to go above and beyond one’s own expectations and break new ground with the torch held high. It is what we all strive for in some capacity.

Getting into BDESis competitive, many a nights I spent pouring over my portfolio, and there are times Iwould question “is this really worth it?” The answer I now believe now is “Yes, if I make it worth it.”

My name is Karsen Mitchell, and I am one in a sea of students who call our campus home, atruth that became frightfully evident as I set first foot forth in the labyrinth. Even so, in my first weeks I’m already finding exhilarating new opportunities, communities and friends. Quickly I find my own dreams becoming my reality. I cordially invite you as a reader to follow me and to delve into my posts as I share my perspective as a first year Industrial Design major at the U of A.

A setting sun punctures a hole in the St. Albert skyline in oneof my preliminary portfolio works “Skye”

Blog Launch!

Welcome to the Faculty of Arts Student Experience blog. Here you will find stories from Faculty of Arts students posting about their experiences with Arts extra curricular/ academic activities. You'll see students blogging from conferences, workshops, work experience placements, study abroad opportunities and Community Service Learning course components.

Check back often, you'll see a new voice every time and just maybe, you will be inspired!

First up are stories from first year Arts students. Get to know who they are, why they came to the U of A, Faculty of Arts and read about impressions from their first weeks on campus.