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SJU ARTS STUDENT PROFILE: FABIOLA
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18 Apr, 2018
With the various majors, minors, and specializations that are offered, the potential to take courses in a variety of subjects of interest to you, and the development of skills that will assist you once you graduate, there are numerous reasons to pursue a degree in the Faculty of Arts at UWaterloo. The additional benefits offered to you as a co-registered student with St. Jerome’s University only add value to your university experience and your degree.
Life as an Arts student is different for everyone. With the freedom you are given to study what interests you, you can truly make the experience your own. Find out more about what life is really like as an Arts student, the reasons to pursue an Arts degree, and the options available to you by learning about a current SJU co-registered student!
For Fabiola, her ability to explore a variety of subjects throughout her degree and the support that she has received at St. Jerome’s have led to her finding her true passions and working towards reaching her goals.
Media Folder:
Tyler: What’s your program and major?
Fabiola: I am in Legal Studies and Sociology in the Faculty of Arts, and I just finished my 4A term.
Are you doing co-op or anything else alongside your degree?
Yeah I am! I’m in the co-op program, in the Honours Arts co-op stream.
What made you choose the Faculty of Arts and your two majors specifically?
When I first came to university, I started off in Psychology, but soon found out I didn’t really like Psychology. In the Honours Arts program I got to take a lot of different courses in varying topics, so even though I was in Psychology, I got to also explore other areas, and I found out that I really liked Legal Studies. I declared Legal Studies as my major, and as I was taking courses in Legal Studies, I found that a lot of them were cross-listed with Sociology, and I found out that if I declared Sociology as my second major, I would be able to go into the co-op program. So that’s why I decided to go with the double major.
How have you found that your experience in the co-op program has complemented your degree?
I would say that my co-op experience has influenced where I am today because I’ve learned a lot of skills in the different jobs that I’ve had that I’ll be able to apply later in my education and my career. For most of my co-op terms I’ve worked at the University of Waterloo, but in different departments. So through them, I’ve learned a lot about the University of Waterloo, and how the different areas of the University function together, and I’ve been able to develop professionally, gaining experience interacting with different professors and stakeholders on campus. So I’ve gained a lot of valuable work experience, a lot of transferable skills, and it’s helped me finance my education, which has relieved a lot of additional stress in that area.
How did you first hear about St. Jerome’s?
I first heard about St. Jerome’s when I came to tour the University of Waterloo with one of my friends. Her mom had lived at St. Jerome’s, so together we came and toured SJU. We also came to You @ Waterloo Day, which I received an invitation to since I was already an admitted student, and co-registered, and that’s when I took a tour of residence and decided to live in residence.
What would you say is the best part about being co-registered with St. Jerome’s University?
I would say the best part about being co-registered is the practically unlimited resources that you have as a co-registered student. One of the greatest benefits that I have found is having my own academic advisors right at St. Jerome’s; Paige and John. The two of them have been really great resources for me, throughout the four years that I’ve been here. In my first year, when I was struggling in Psychology, Paige helped me figure out what program I might enjoy more, and made that transition easy for me. They’ve also just guided me throughout my entire degree, I’ve done a few degree audits to make sure I’m on track with the courses that I need to take, and I’ve also had help with scholarships and other academic components as well. So the academic support available directly at St. Jerome’s has been a great help and benefit.
The best part about being co-registered is the practically unlimited resources that you have as a co-registered student
Why did you choose the Faculty of Arts in general? When you were looking at post-secondary school, did you have an end goal that you wanted to attain, either a career or otherwise, in mind?
I’ve always known that I want to go to Law School, so that’s definitely the end goal that I’ve had throughout my entire degree. I was interested in Arts specifically because I like having the flexibility and ability to take courses in a variety of different areas. In the Faculty of Arts you’re exposed to a variety of different subjects and don’t have to focus on one specific area throughout your entire undergrad.
Why would you recommend St. Jerome’s to prospective students?
I would recommend St. Jerome’s to prospective students because of all the additional benefits you have as a member of the St. Jerome’s community, and the really great support structure that’s in place here. As a co-registered student you get the small class sizes that St. Jerome’s offers, and you get to know your professors and your classmates really well; I know a lot of the people in my program who are currently graduating, and we’ve gone through our whole degree together, getting to know and supporting one another. Knowing that I have all of the resources that St. Jerome’s offers available to me is very comforting; even if I don’t necessarily always need to use them, I know where I can find them or who to ask, so I’ve never felt lost or confused over the course of my degree. St. Jerome’s gives you a comfortable environment for you to grow and learn as an individual.
St. Jerome’s is ultimately a community and a place that you can always go back to and feel welcome, safe, and supported
How would you describe the overall St. Jerome’s experience? What is it about St. Jerome’s that has made your university experience different than it would be elsewhere?
Overall, I’ve had a wonderful experience at St. Jerome’s and in the St. Jerome’s community. Living in residence in my first year, I was able to make a lot of incredible connections and meet the people that are still my best friends today. But also, even when you’re not living in residence, St. Jerome’s is ultimately a community and a place that you can always go back to and feel welcome, safe, and supported.■
*This interview has been condensed and partially edited for clarity and conciseness*