Calling all students—interested in pursuing post-secondary education? Curious about the world that waits beyond the gates of high school? Well, this interview is just for you!

Hear about the university life firsthand from first year Julia Sun. You might recognize her: she is a recent 2016-2017 graduate of St. Augustine. Formerly president of Business Council and editor-in-chief of Titan Times, she now attends Queen’s University for commerce.

 

Can you describe how your year is going so far?

My year has been a mix of everything so far. It’s been a mix of ups and downs, happiness and sadness, and fun and stressful times. This whole year, for me, has flown by. It feels as if I’ve lived my four years of high school in just this first year of university. Even now, I still can’t believe that in just a few weeks, I’ll be done my first year.

If I were to truly sum up my year in a few words, I’d describe it as being busy and eye-opening. I don’t think there was ever a week where I didn’t have a fair share of events, meetings, and deliverables; it felt as if I was always running around, sometimes barely even having time to sit down for food. I also call it eye-opening because I’ve gotten the chance to learn so many things about myself, others, and life in general through all the crazy, but amazing experiences I’ve had this past year. My mom and dad always told me that that was what university was meant for – it’s the chance to see things in a different light and gain perspective on new things. That’s exactly what Queen’s has helped me do this year.

 

How did you know you wanted to go into commerce at Queen’s University?

I’ve always wanted to go into business because it was just the subject that I was always drawn to in high school. While math, chemistry or physics homework was something that I wouldn’t have trouble putting off, I never really complained about the business reports or projects we had to do for Business courses (Marketing Fair is still my favourite thing). My involvement with Business Council all 4 years also helped me realize that business was a field I could truly see myself in. To me, the field of business seemed like the ideal mix of being around people and getting to do meaningful, impactful work, and this is exactly what I wanted.

I wanted to go into Commerce at Queen’s University for probably the same reason that others wanted to go there; It was the business program that got all the hype. Each year, there are always certain programs that are seen as “the one” to apply to and choose, and because of the Commerce program’s low acceptance rate, it’s always been the exclusive, coveted program for high school students looking to go into business.

I know this sounds a bit like just following the herd, but after I got to learn more about the Commerce program and all that it entailed, I wanted to go for all the opportunities that it offered students, whether it was the exchange opportunity in 3rd year, all the clubs underneath the Commerce Society, the small class sizes, or the job recruitment opportunities on campus.

And then, as a bonus, I visited the Queen’s University campus in the March of Grade 11 and I absolutely fell in love. The campus is so, so beautiful and even to this day, I still can’t get over how nice it all is as I’m walking around.

 

What are some differences you’ve noticed between high school and university?

To be honest, the environment at Queen’s Commerce is very similar to high school – everybody knows of one another, you have name cards in class so professors call you by your first name, and most of your classes (the Commerce courses) take place in the same building so you’re not really walking around campus all the time. Professors have office hours where you can go to for help, you have group work with your peers, and if you’re on residence in first year, the dining hall atmosphere is very similar to the café. So, if you liked high school, there’s a very big chance you will like Queen’s Commerce because I found it to be an extension of grade 12 coming into the program.

With that being said, the main difference I’ve noticed between high school and university is the life that each person leads. You’re not at home anymore and you don’t have parents looking over your shoulder all the time. You decide when you’re going to do homework, when to eat, when to do laundry or clean your room, and even whether or not you’re going to go to class. If you sleep past your alarm, you’re not going to have somebody to wake you up; you’re just going to have to miss class. You can either go out every night, or you can buckle down and do your work. The sheer amount of freedom and the feeling that you’re really in control of all aspects of your own life is the main thing, and first semester taught everybody that you really have to find the right balance or else it is very easy to spiral out of control.

 

Do you have any advice for students who are currently in high school and looking into post-secondary education?

Choose a post-secondary school/program that you genuinely like. Don’t go into it because you think it’s what your parents want, or where your friends are going. It’s all about what fits best for you.

The biggest piece of advice I can probably share is to also not get too overwhelmed by the decision. I know it can feel like you’re literally deciding how your future is going to unfold, but try not to feel as if the decision is permanent. If, in first year, you decide that you don’t like the program, you can always hit the reset button and change programs or even schools. This decision about where you are going is in no way permanent, but I know that it can seem like that. I already have friends in Commerce who have chosen to transfer after first year is over, and that is in no way a problem at all. I honestly see that as admirable because it proves you’re not settling for anything and you’re not just “waiting it out.”

You just need to pursue something that you genuinely enjoy learning about, and it might take you a couple tries to find that “thing”. But that’s okay. Don’t be afraid to come to the realization that what you are in now might not be where you want to stay, and don’t be afraid to take action and find something else.

 

Do you have advice for students who are going into their first year of post-secondary education?

It’s so important to be curious, and to feed your curiosity.

University is such a bigger world than high school, and when you first walk into this new world, you’re greeted by so many new things. It’s your job to be curious and explore all these different things.

The one thing that I LOVE about Queen’s Commerce is the amount of opportunities there are, whether it’s clubs, external events, conferences, and more. The opportunities are always going to be there, and it’s your job to actually take the initiative to go to them and get involved. Going back to the whole “freedom” thing, nobody is going to force you to get out there; you need to be the one telling yourself to do that. I’ve always been such a curious person so since I’ve been here, I’ve gone to so many different events, different conferences, and I’ve applied to so many different clubs.

And I genuinely think this is what has made all the difference for my first-year. I didn’t let myself just go to class and then go home; instead, there are some days where I’d be at Goodes Hall for 10 straight hours because of all the different events I wanted to go to that day. And I strongly recommend everybody to try and do the same in first-year. Get out there, be curious, and don’t be afraid to jump into opportunities that you see. Don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with people you barely know, don’t be afraid to ask questions that you have, and don’t be afraid to try things that you had never considered before. While two people’s intellectual levels could be different, I’m a strong believer in the idea that whoever has more curiosity and that sense of personal drive will be the one to go further.

 

What are some of your go-tos for chilling out and relaxing?

I think a big part of what kept me sane during the craziness of grade 12 was the excessive amount of hot yoga that I did at the Moksha Yoga Markham studio. So, even today, I use yoga as a way to relax and forget about my stress for a bit. It’s a little more inconvenient here in Kingston to do hot yoga as frequently, so when I’m not doing a yoga class, I just go to the gym with friends.

I’m the kind of person who always needs to remind myself to slow down and if I don’t remind myself, I could probably keep running until I collapse of exhaustion. So, having those prescribed nights in bed with Netflix also helps a lot with chilling out, and it’s a lot more fun with friends and take-out food.

 

 

A big thank you to Julia for partaking in this interview! Hopefully her words have given you some insight as to what life after high-school is all about. And, more importantly, what to do on your days off!

By: Kathy A.
Photo provided by Julia S.
04/05/2018