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.