A guide for a directionless student

Posted by admin on Sep 1, 2006 in Arts & Culture | 0 comments

I’m a sophomore at Trinity Western University. I’m coming off my best academic year ever. I have two amazing positions (one with TWUSA, the other with Mars’ Hill) that I’m excited to be working with. And I never thought any of this would happen. In fact, it probably surprises many people that I’m in a position of leadership anywhere near TWU. But it wasn’t always “rainbows and butterflies.” Last year was peppered with transitions and difficulties. I learned the hard way that not everyone has a good first year at college.

I’m a commuter who plans to transfer to another university, so my ability and willingness to connect with people was very limited my first semester here. I couldn’t seem to find a class that I gelled with. Without going into specifics, I experienced some very frustrating episodes where I felt like student number 24601 instead of a person. Having an unheard voice is often part of being at an institution that deals with thousands people a day, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept.

So within a few weeks I developed a fairly large chip on my shoulder, which ironically ended up being more of a blessing than a curse. A purposely sub-par performance on one particular class assignment sent me to the career centre and to Kate Walters, a guide for the directionless student. At that point, I had no idea that I would set foot in the Career and Life Calling Center. As James Dean taught us, direction and rebellion rarely align. But it turned out to be the best thing I could do for my first year experience. Kate became the biggest reason I stayed at TWU first semester, and played a large role in my decision to return for the spring.

After seeing Kate, going to class felt a little easier. I might not have looked forward to every class, but they began to bring me new understanding. Lessons brought me into contact with information that reaffirmed my long-lost belief that things would get better. In the spring, I found some classes and profs that worked for me, and I connected, against all my efforts, with some beautiful individuals. In time, things became much better, and I became a brighter individual.

If there’s one piece of advice I can offer to you, the freshmen of 2006, it is to see Kate in the Career and Life Calling Center. Maybe you’ve always known that you want to be a biochemist. Or perhaps you have no idea why you’re even at university. No matter where you’re at, she has something to offer. Simply talking with her about your experiences and passions, or lack thereof, can help clarify your reasoning. I know it helped me.