The Beginning

Welcome to my deep dive into York University. During my graduation I never thought that my next step can be doing a post-grad in Canada. But today here I am, after my graduation I applied to York University School of Continuing Studies to pursue a Postgraduate Certificate in Digital and Content Marketing, and guess what I got accepted. When I got my offer letter, I was really excited to live a whole new life and experience new cultures. So, my experience at York University is filled with both joy and challenges. To illustrate my journey, I will discuss what all I expected and what was the reality, I’ll touch on the benefits and difficulties I encountered, at last I will also provide a few tips to other students to help them acquire skills and knowledge at York.

My Story as a Student at York-SCS

Initial Expectations and First Impressions

When I was admitted to York School of Continuing Studies, it seemed like everything is going to be fantastic. My first day at the institution, where I was treated with overwhelmingly open arms and received a very to-the-point orientation, was an impressive experience.

When I walked into the classroom for the first time, the classroom was teeming with students, I found a seat and noticed that the majority of the class was Indian, at that moment I was quite shocked because I was expecting the class strength to be of mixed cultures, but on the other hand that was also a plus point for me because despite being far from home, they created a sense of belonging and made me feel at home. Additionally, the ambiance, professors, infrastructure, and other aspects appeared to bring out the best in me.

Tip: Build strong relationships with your classmates, as they can assist you in securing a good job in the future.

Classroom Experience

The learning environment at York combines rigor with support. The classroom experience was exceptional as every professor had their own way to teach and make the lecture more engaging. If I address Prof. Rovena Aga, she was the one who made me realize that even the classrooms can feel better than breakrooms. Her practical approach while teaching and the way every time she brings some stuff like cookies or popcorn for in class activities made every class engaging and interactive. She was always prepared with some News Bits before the class starts to make students know what is trending in the market. I can really say that she was one of the best professors I might have ever had.

Following that, Prof. Tim Campbell-Smith came into the picture, he started teaching us when we were almost done with over half of the program, but the moment he entered he made everyone feel like we knew him since so long because of his friendly demeanor. He often cracked jokes just to keep everyone’s attention. But the best thing about him was that he was always available to give you feedback on your work. He not only taught new things in classroom but also on Instagram, where his feed was full of digital marketing content.

It wasn’t just Prof. Tim or Prof. Rovena; all the other faculties whether it is Prof. Rob, Prof. Andrew, Prof. Melyssa or Prof. Kanak, were always available to provide any help you need.

Tip: Engage with your professors. They can help you solve real-life problems and might even assist you in securing a job or making valuable connections.

Campus Life

York is a vibrant and colorful place in the city, offering a variety of facilities that enhance the overall student experience. I still remember how we all used to go to Break-room after lectures to hang out. It was truly a great experience. York offers a lot of facilities on campus beyond the breakroom. Students from SCS can access the Tait McKenzie Centre for just 22$ per month. This facility provides a broad range of activities, including gymnasium, swimming, and group fitness classes. Additionally, students can participate in various sports activities, such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, and tennis, scheduled throughout the week. These resources significantly enhance the overall student experience, Encouraging physical fitness and active participation. York also has a free weekly groceries service for students to help ease their financial burden. The libraries are well-equipped, and how can we forget the finishing touch. The subway running through the campus, which makes commuting easy. These amenities contribute to making York a great place for students to study.

Tip: I suggest getting a membership at the Tait McKenzie Centre, as it will enhance your student experience.

Personal Growth and Development

During my time at York, the School of Continuing Studies offered limited opportunities for personal growth and development for its students. Since there were no clubs or co-curricular activities available for personality development. However, the availability of the numerous group projects was exceptionally useful. Working with classmates from different backgrounds and skill sets expanded my perspective and enhanced my learning experience.

York not only helped me elevate my confidence by the help of group presentations but also taught me team management as several times we were asked to perform in groups which helped me to understand everyone’s thoughts and significantly enhanced my ability to collaborate effectively and manage group dynamics.

Tip: Take every opportunity to present in front of the class, as this can help you seize opportunities. For instance, one of my friends demonstrated excellent presentation skills and was invited by a professor to be a guest speaker at Conestoga college.

Advice to Future Students

Time Management Tips

It can be quite a task balancing your student workload with your personal obligations so effective time management is paramount. especially since York expects everything to be submitted on time. My personal experience taught me this lesson the hard way when I was once late in submitting an assignment and received a grade of zero. To avoid such pitfalls, use time management tools like calendars and to-do lists to keep track of your tasks. One way of achieving this is by avoiding procrastination (scrolling social media, watching Netflix).

Working in Groups

Working in groups can be challenging yet rewarding, I found my most trusted colleagues working in group projects at York. I also got to learn a lot about subjects that I had no prior knowledge of due to working with people from different professional backgrounds.

Building Connections and Networking

Networking is very important. Engage with your Classmates, make connections, and participate in group assignments to build your network. These connections can provide support, opportunities, and, most importantly, friendships that will last a lifetime. Since York SCS doesn’t have clubs or co-curricular activities, it’s essential to actively work on building your network.

Balancing Work and Study Life

Just like me there are lots of international students who work part time and struggle with balancing their student workload with their part time job, While studying at York I found that balancing work and study life was challenging however York’s fixed lecture timings were great help in managing my schedule so that I could make time for rest and relaxation as well as personal activities, I think York’s consistent schedule helped me achieve a better work and study balance.

Conclusion

My time at York School of Continuing Studies was truly exceptional. I hope that sharing my experiences and valuable tips will guide current students. Embrace every opportunity that comes your way, stay attentive, and remember that the journey is as important as the destination. These moments will stay with you long after you graduate.