Wise Words: Advice About Extracurriculars
Welcome, Concordia community! If this is your first semester at Concordia University of Edmonton please accept my warmest welcome, and how excited I am to have new amazing fellow students at this school. University life will always be an interesting and incredible experience especially if this is your first year. Although the first year can be a frightening experience, it can also be one of your fondest life memories. You will learn inside and outside the class, from Professors to fellow students, to all those who assist us in our academic career; and most of all you learn a lot about yourself. Your passions, your interests, even interests you never realized you had. You may find old friends once more and new friends that last a lifetime.
As an extremely introverted student straight from high school, my first year was filled with many different emotions. From realizing that school bullies were the stuff of high school to understanding that hard work truly does pay off, to finding my passion for literature and the theatre. One of my greatest fears was that I wasn't going to be able to thrive in university. I was shy and introverted and fearful and although I still am extremely introverted, through this school and the amazing supportive environment this university holds, I found the courage to do what I fear and love the most. A big turning point was the genuine feeling that although I am one of many students, I, like every other Concordia student, matter. Whether in our classrooms with Professors who are genuinely enthusiastic about their students' performances or the Concordia staff who are constantly assisting the students, no matter who you are, where you are from, or your academic level, you can always find help and a place here at Concordia. We are more than just a university, we are a community, and the realization of that is something truly enlightening.
Another fantastic lesson I have learned outside the classroom is that you will find friends here in all different kinds of places from the school play, to classrooms, to our sports teams or even whilst working out at our gym (located in the Ralph King Athletic Center Building), and so much more. You can find new friends anywhere and everywhere even when least expected - especially during the many awesome events we hold at Concordia. From our many Wellness Wednesdays events such as pancake breakfasts, Therapy dogs, Booster Juice Wednesdays, etc, to our school-wide events like Thunderfest! All of these amazing opportunities to let loose, have fun, and de-stress as well as socialize with fantastic people while oftentimes listening to awesome music. There is so much more to this school than I can explain in one column but, take a stranger's advice. That play you want to audition for but are nervous to? Do it! The soccer team you think would be amazing to try out for but are worried you won't cut it? Try out! An amazing thing about Concordia is that the effort you put into it, the more amazing a return you get in experiences, memories, and new friendships!
Israa Hussein
