Thinking back on my time at York University's School of Continuing Studies (SCS), I've been fortunate to be a part of a welcoming community, gained valuable knowledge, and participated in a wealth of stimulating activities.
Introduction:
Initially when I had my first day at University I was tensed since in my previous college we didn’t have much of campus but when I got down at York University subway, I was stunned to see the location. It has a very and spacious pretty ground once you exit the subway.
This post is a narration of my experience, giving the readers an insight into aspects of the good things and the areas that need improvement.
The Good things-
- The Beautiful Campus:
On the York University's SCS campus, there is a treasure on sight. The greenery which is accompanied with vast space, the intricate modern architecture and the technological facilities together create a serious yet playful environment bringing about the feeling that is hard to stay in the classroom for learning. The beauty of the campus significantly increases the value of the academic program, so attendance at the school becomes an enjoyable journey. Apart from this the gaming/ arcade area is exceptional. They have ps5, pool, chess, other board games, eating options, etc.
- Advanced technological setup:
York University's SCS has an excellent technological infrastructure. By the provision of modern computer labs, adequate classrooms, and a multitude of online student resources, the university guarantees that with the necessary tools, students could be successful. These features have been pivotal in improving my learning and even keeping me a top student in my courses. They have wifi coverage all over the building which I feel is very useful since there is very less mobile network due to which phone’s data doesn’t work. Recently they upgraded their projectors and installed better speakers which allows us to play educational videos. They even have a laser projector which allows them to display any notes from textbook or infact notebook too which is very cool I feel. Not only this being a passionate photogrpaher and a videographer I got to know that the university also has a library with camera equipments and it’s accessories. I entered the room and it felt like entering heaven. The latest camera’s like Sony Alpha series, latest gimbals and tripods, etc. I even used the podcast gear like the mic and stand to record my podcast for an assignment. It was really helpful since I go the desired results with quality.
- Professional teaching faculty:
(Alt text:- A professor named Tim standing on a red couch/chair and speaking something about the digital board in front of the students of York University.)
The most impressive feature of the School of Continuing Studies at York University is the teaching staff. The impact of my educators Rovena and Tim cannot be overstated. Frankly speaking I used to throw tantrums in waking up for other professors class but for Rovena and Tim it didn’t feel like we were going to class, I mean they both were so interactive they used to have conversations with us which led to a 2 way communication. The best part was Rovena’s tim bits and news bits. At the beginning of every class she used to tell few news about the marketing industry of various brands. It was very helpful to catch up with the real world. They go an extra mile to ensure that learners grasp every concept and are always ready to help when necessary. Tim showed us how to use Facebook ads which was like the first time a professor demonstrated a tool which was again insightful. As a marketer you need to see and use the tool in order to get ready which Tim understood.
- Practical and Relevant Curriculum:
The curriculum at York University's SCS is practical which means that it seeks to give useful knowledge that can be applied in the real world and it also achieves this by covering the current job market. So for 2 subjects which go hand in hand for a semester the professors would coordinate and develop a big assignment of the same brand so that we as students get to learn indepth about the brand and research accordingly. This particular idea was just amazing. This approach is aimed at the future and has given me some good-training to be successful in my job.
The Bad things-
- Navigating technological hiccups:
But, even though the benefits are numerous, my stay at the School of Continuing Studies, York University has not been all rosy. York University has always been up in arms to solve any issues pertaining to Information Technology as soon as possible thereby reducing any form of distraction from their students’ academic life I may have been mistaken about this -- everything has not always been perfect during my time at York University's SCS despite all the advantages that have come with such endeavour. Educational resources such as Wi-Fi and other IT related items at the School of Computer Science (SCS), York University do break down rarely. However, such trials often equipped us with various problem-solving skills as well as being adaptable enough whenever the need arose.
Then now my classes had started in January 2024 wherein the weather was cold so I didn’t realise how hot the classes will be until summer came. It got hotter from spring only. At humber we had centralised AC and so didn’t expect this from university. Really it becomes suffocating at many times.
- Balancing work life and studies:
Balancing Work, Life, and Studies Balancing work, personal life, and studies was another challenge I faced. It’s never easy to juggle work, personal life, and studies. Time management and organizational skills are a must for any one who is trying to continue his or her education. This experience has helped me understand the importance of prioritizing tasks while using time management to become more effective in managing my time which is related with the benefits I will gain in future.
For future students-
According to me I would suggest the future students to take advantage of the curriculum by balancing coursework, work life and personal life. The curriculum is developed in such a way that both the subjects go simultaneously, like the projects are to be done of the same company for both the subjects as a whole. This will allow the student to learn the bigger picture. Also try building a strong network with the professors since they will be the one's who will be guiding you and throughout the journey. They further have connections which might help you in your career.
(Alt text:- A guest lecturer speaking about a presentation about the kind of texts from his son he receives as a marketing example.)
Conclusion:
York University's School of Continuing Studies has been an extremely beneficial experience for me. The gorgeous environment, well-maintained infrastructure, dedicated teaching team, and realistic course design all contribute to a rewarding learning experience. Regardless of how terrible the situations were, they taught me valuable lessons that have helped me grow as a person and in my job. Looking back on my time there, I am grateful for the information and experience that I gained.
