Introduction
They say the journey to keep growing is a constant one. And to further your education is one of them and an important one. At the beginning of this journey, everyone tries their best to find the right place to do it, and I did that too. From leaving my family back home to coming to a completely new country was a tough decision that I made. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say that my time at York School of Continuing Studies has been filled with lots of learning experiences and fun. In this blog post, I will be sharing the experiences I gained during this journey and offer advice for future students to help them through their journey.
My Experience at York School of Continuing Studies
Diverse Learning Environment
One of the best things about York School of Continuing Studies is its diversity. I like how everyone I met during my course has come from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. What makes learning fun and easier are the classmates. Your classmates are your best friends during this journey. There’s a very big opportunity to learn from each other since engaging from different cultures provides you out of the box insights. And not to forget the days when you are feeling low and want to get away from the stressing assignments, they always got your back.
Flexible Learning Options
Being an international student, who has to support her living and at the same time focus on her studies is a bit challenging. York’s flexibility of timings for each batch has helped me manage my time and allowed me to work on my work and personal commitments.
In the beginning I was allotted a 12:30- 3:30 pm batch that wasn't suitable for me and my part time job so I got it changed to a 3:30- 6:30 pm batch. What I'm trying to explain is that York is not very rigid with their timings and more flexible. Although it might not be the case for everyone. Another benefit of getting to choose between the learning modes is that you get to apply what you learn in real life situations, as I did by taking evening classes while working part-time. It has never been difficult for me to manage my studies alongside working.
Career-Oriented Programs
What I personally like about programs at York helps you advance in your career. All the courses offered here have their curriculum developed with inputs from industry experts. This gives a better understanding on how to apply your learnings in your choice of field.
I felt that the curriculum is designed to be practical and hands-on, giving me the opportunity to apply my skills anywhere. For example, in my program, we developed actual marketing campaigns, which not only taught me the skill but also contributed to building our portfolios.Program Highlights:
Curriculum aligned with industry needs.
Practical, hands-on learning.
Networking opportunities with professionals
Supportive Community
Starting an international journey can be challenging for some. Leaving the comfort of your home country is not easy for everyone. Some challenges require additional support and York School of Continuing Studies has a strong support system. They have Academic advisors, career counselors, different clubs, and organizations to help you succeed. This environment makes you feel part of the community, which is motivating. And like I said earlier, your professors and classmates are your biggest support.
The support from professors is remarkable. They are very friendly and always ready to help with anything be it academic or personal challenges. The career services team also offers great support when you’re on a job hunt. They offer guidance on job searches, resume building, and interview preparation. I personally have not yet contacted them but I know a few friends of mine who did and they had very positive feedback.
Practical Application Focus
One of the best things I love about York is the focus on practical application. The education system that I come from focuses more on theoretical knowledge, and having to learn a course that emphasizes practical learning has made learning more engaging and relevant.
In my last semester’s assignment, I worked on a case study that focused on real business scenarios. Also to add on, the professors are really nice and make learning so interesting by adding games and fun activities. I would also like to mention that Professor Rovena and Tim’s class were always interesting and exciting. Their way of teaching is more fun and easy to understand than just reading through books or PowerPoint slides. Like we had a practical session where Professor Tim made us learn about marketing by making LEGO. Sounds fun right? 
Advice for Future Students
Plan and Prioritize
If I were to go back and make some changes on how I managed my journey, I would focus on balancing my studies with other responsibilities that requires good planning. As I came closer to the end of my studies, I started taking notes to organize my schedule.
I try to break down my tasks into smaller tasks and prioritize them based on deadlines and importance. This approach helped me stay on track and reduce last moment submission stress.
Building Connections
Another way to build your connections is to actively participate in classes and other activities. Try to connect with your peers, participate in discussions, and take advantage of networking events and workshops to make the most of your time at York. They also many events happening in the York campus where you can participate and engage with people and professors.
Utilize Resources
Make the most of resources available at York School of Continuing Studies. This includes the library, career services, and online learning platforms. These resources support your academic and professional growth.
The library offers a vast collection of resources that can help in your assignments and studies. Career services provide valuable guidance on job searches and professional development. York also has a gaming room which to me is a very fun option to go to when you just want to relax or hang out with your buddies after class.
Stay Open to New Opportunities
One thing that I noticed that has helped me build confidence is by participating in any new experiences and opportunities that come your way. Find some time off from your schedule and try enrolling in such opportunities.
Taking on such challenges can help you in breaking the ice and enhance your skill set. Whether it's an internship, a research project, or a new course, these experiences can provide valuable learning and networking opportunities.
Continued Learning
One of the most important lessons I've learned is the value of continued learning. Try to stay committed to learning new things. Whether it's through education, professional development courses, or self-study, investing time to hone your skills is crucial for career advancement especially in a fast growing technology world we live in today. Initially I began this journey for the sake of learning the basics of Digital marketing but as time went by my interest grew more and more towards learning new concepts of the digital world. It's in this course I realized that if I want to make my career strong in this field I will have to constantly keep learning and never stop as the digital industry is ever evolving.
Conclusion
My journey at York School of Continuing Studies has been a total eye opener. The diverse environment, flexible learning options, career-oriented programs, and supportive community have all contributed to a satisfactory educational experience. For future students, my advice is to plan well, engage actively, utilize available resources, and stay open to new opportunities. Give value to your time at York, and you’ll find it both rewarding and enriching.
