This blog is an archived post written by Marissa during her 3^rd year in the Environmental Management stream.

 

 

 

When applying to the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES), I didn’t know what I was getting into. I knew I had a love of the environment and education and I wanted to find the perfect merger. FES was a surprise to me, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. From the very start, I always felt welcome in the Faculty. My goal was to become a good student, get involved, and find a path to environmental education.

My journey first started at orientation! At my orientation, I met some of the most important people in my university career: my best friend, Natalie, and Ann, the Student Success Coordinator. Natalie was the very first student I met; She was sitting right next to me during orientation. We did a lot of fun things together that day including a skit, an ecofriendly fashion show and more.

Natalie has been stuck with me ever since. She is the one helping me brainstorm every idea for every class, she is my study buddy and pushes me to go the extra mile. My first event volunteering with the Faculty was with Natalie because she was the one who encouraged me to go! At that event, Change Your World, we were able to meet some of the amazing staff, students, and faculty that provide us with so much knowledge. To this very day, Natalie is continuously helping me excel in the academic and social aspect of York University.

Ann is also a huge mentor within my York career. Ann is the Environmental Studies Student Success Coordinator or, like I like to say, my Uni Mom. Ann helped me since the very beginning, from picking out courses before I even walked onto York. Ann has guided me throughout my whole experience: Answering all my questions, directing me to different campus resources and even just being an ear for me to vent. Her true compassion for every student inspires me every day. She has been a model for me within my own teaching goals, and I wish I can become as close to my students as Ann is with me. Through Ann, I also have access to many opportunities including Peer Mentorship, my current work study position with the Recruitment and Communications team, as well as many trainings and connections I have made around York university.

I was very doubtful going into my program of how I could blend my two passions together. With the support of my #MyCrewYU, my goals are on the fast track of being complete. I have created a community and network around me to support me on my path to my future. Without them my York experience would not have been as amazing as it is now!