Tag: student life

I am in the Bachelor of Communications program at Capilano University

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Procrastination – Why am I doing it?!

I thought I had beat my Enemy – my self-saboteur … But apparently NOT. I am a Communications student at Capilano University in North Vancouver and for reasons not clear to me I am procrastinating doing my assignments. So much so that it becomes too late to submit them.

And my wonderful professor had even given me extensions on our first two assignments due even though I didn’t ask! And then we just had our midterm. It was a straight forward exam and had I studied properly I could have aced it. Nope, I failed it by 1.5 marks!

Although, these marks say something about me as a student it is sending the wrong message. It’s painting the wrong picture. I am a former honor roll student, winner of top 100 student in my school district, highest mark in my English 12 class and awarded 3 English awards during my high school years.

After high school, I studied Fashion Design at the International Academy of Design & Technology in Toronto, Ontario, Fashion Merchandising and How to Start a Small Business at VCC in Vancouver, BC.

Last year I enrolled in the Applied Digital Communications & Social Media program at Capilano University and just one course shy of completing the program and receiving the Award of Achievement. I just registered for the last course, Effective Writing for Web Content. I can’t wait! It will be taught at our new campus, at the historical Shipyards District.

Possible reasons for my self-sabotage: fear of success, fear that I may truly get EVERYTHING THAT I DESIRE, or to balance the success I am experiencing in my life …. I’m not sure why I am doing it.

I was hoping that by the end of this blog I would have it figured out … Apparently not. I will keep you in the loop when I know the answer. Stay tuned …

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Carson Graham Grad Reunion – Doing Now What I Wanted to Back Then …

Carson Grad Reunion

Last night I attended my high school reunion at Seymour’s Pub in North Vancouver, BC. And I feel like I have been given a 2nd chance to do EVERYTHING I wanted to back when I was in my final year at Carson:

  1. I was the organizer of our reunion and I had really wanted to be on our Grad Committee back in high school.
  2. I am attending Capilano University and I had wanted to when the Cap U reps came to Carson to talk to the soon to be grads.
  3. I am on the Board of Directors for Capilano Students’ Union and I had wanted to be on Students’ Council at Carson.
  4. I am a Contributor on Capilano Courier’s monthly magazine and I had wanted to be part of the year book committee.
  5. I am part of the Capilano Radio Club and I had wanted to get involved in clubs.
  6. I am the Social Media & Events Consultant for Cap U’s YWIB (Young Women In Business) and I had wanted to be a group leader.
  7. Last night I spoke to everyone that came out to Our Reunion even though I didn’t recognize some of them initially. I am now the social butterfly with the gift of gab and schmoozing that I always wanted to be.

I am so happy that I organized last night’s event because it made EVERYONE THAT CAME HAPPY TOO! There was a comfort seeing my former classmates because we are all the same age (all of us holding our cell phones & yearbook that Candi brought at a distance for us to SEE! Hahaha… ), no one-up man-ship, and a unity that I think we ALL FELT.

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Work, School, Life Balance

Being a mature student is challenging. But I am embracing the challenge with open arms. I work full time for a software company and I am taking one class in the School of Communications at Capilano University that meets twice a week.

On the suggestion of the President of Capilano Students’ Union I am a candidate and running for Mature Student and Student Parent Representative. My candidacy was made official by the Chief Returning Officer and my Election Campaign began yesterday, Friday, September 27th .

I have embraced student life by becoming active on campus by joining Capilano Radio Club in which I will be managing the radio’s Social Media platforms with another Communications Student & I am hoping to start a podcast of my own . I will be a Consultant for YMIB’s, Young Women In Business, Marketing Department regarding their Social Media & Events and I have attended my first pitch meeting with Capilano Courier, the University’s Monthly Magazine. During my first volunteer shift as a Theatre Usher, I was fortunate to watch a great film by filmmaker, Tom Radford at the University’s theatre, Blue Shore Financial .

I am unapologetically ambitious. But I am grounded. I balance my work, school, and campus activities by:

  • Exercising – taking Pilates & Yoga classes at Lonsdale Steve Nash Fitness Club where I am a Fitness Ambassador.
  • Seeing my family & friends – namely my Ma, Mako and my Big Sis, Mona.
  • Taking & enjoying my alone time. Doing things that make me happy & indulging my inner child.
  • Attending the North Shore Alliance Church, volunteering at their coffee bar and reading spiritual & motivational books.
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Capilano University is Coming to the Shipyards District!

Shipyards, North Vancouver, BC

It’s my first day of class at Capilano University in the School of Communication. I am excited for many reasons – not just because it’s the first day.

I have to commend the University for the warm welcome they gave us, first year students last week at our Student Orientations – the Welcome Ceremony (which I wrote about in a separate post) and our Faculty Orientation.

I decided to go back to school because of a colleague’s suggestion that I take some Social Media courses at Cap U after he saw how passionate I am about Instagram. I completed 4 out of 5 courses I need for the Award of Achievement in the Applied Digital Communications & Social Media program. I will be taking the final course in November at the Historic Shipyards in North Vancouver, BC.

Capliano University is opening a second campus at the Shipyards in early November and I will be taking Writing Effective Web Content. How appropriate! Haha …

The original name of the Shipyards was Wallace Shipyard and was opened in 1906. Alfred Wallace’s shipyard became “… the largest employer of shipyard labour in BC. During the war it produced 109 of the 312 ‘Victory Ships’ in Canada. Entire subdivisions were created in North Vancouver to house the workforce. The Shipyard’s contribution to the war effort was so significant that at the end of World War II, Clarence Wallace was decorated as “Commander of the British Empire”. – www.cnv.org

I feel fortunate and grateful to be able to attend a class at a location so rich in North Vancouver and Western Canadian History. As I get older, my pride in being Canadian has grown. This year when my Mom, Mako and I attended the Canada Day parade in North Vancouver my eyes welled up with tears.

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Capilano University Welcome Orientation

I attended the Capilano University Orientation today and I loved it! At times overwhelmed by emotion for choosing a school where I know I belong and that according to Elder Rose Nahanee, CapU also chose ME! Her speech during the Welcome Ceremony and the things she said resonated with me.

She spoke about how the canoe is an important symbol to her and the Squamish Nation. At the funeral that she attended this morning they spoke of the “canoe” taking the deceased HOME.

Two thoughts entered my mind when Elder Rose Nahanee spoke of the canoe and the journey HOME. Mark Wilson, my high school sweetheart also attended Capilano University. And before he passed away he told his Mom that he was going HOME tomorrow. He passed away the next day on January 1, 2015.

When I had told Mark years before he passed away about my love for writing he encouraged me to start a blog. And here I am doing what I love! It feels wonderful and I want to do it all the time. And soon I will be when I start the Bachelor of Communications Program in September.

In a different context, I feel like I have come HOME to Capilano University. It is a feeling of acceptance, a welcoming of open arms, and encouragement from people who truly care about our success in our academic career and beyond: President of Capilano University – Paul Dangerfield, Squamish Nation Elder – Rose Nahanee, President of the Students’ Union – Emily Bridge, and Director of Student Affairs – Daniel Levangie.

During the ceremony I came to the realization I want to be involved with CapU in everyway I can. I have already applied to volunteer as a Well-Being Ambassador, a pilot project where Peers assist other Peers. I want to be a part of the Capilano Students’ Union by becoming a member who represents Mature Students and also become a member of Young Women In Business.

I can’t wait for it ALL TO BEGIN … Just 5 MORE DAYS!

To read more about the legacy of the canoe carved for CapU please read https://capu50.capilanou.ca/celebrating-coast-salish-culture/.