Developing through education

As I move on to Lakehead University in the fall to study political science, I’ve noticed a huge shift in my attitude towards education.
It’s important.
No matter what you decide to do in your educational career, it’s important to do it with a positive attitude and a will to learn. I don’t mean to sound like one of those people who tout positivity as the be-all, end-all to every solution. Cynicism has its place, just not in the front seat.
I dove into Humber’s journalism program in 2010, and recently graduated on June 19 of this year. It was a tough three years, but that’s a different story.
In my life plans circa 2010, the idea was to fast track through community college and move on to university.
I didn’t account for the growth that would come from three years in a community college – it wasn’t my plan to come out of my shell, gain confidence and valuable life skills. I was just after the diploma.
Post-secondary education—especially that which has taken me far from home (Humber College is in Toronto, which is about 1,700 kilometers away from my homely little town of Sioux Lookout) brought about new, unexpected challenges and opportunities to experience life in a different light than what I was used to.
After three long years I stood to be counted along with hundreds of other graduates from the media studies school at Humber College – I had made it. I found myself lined up outside of the convocation hall at the Congress Centre in Toronto.
I was to be presented with the president’s medal during the convocation.
The official description, sent to me in an email, said the medal was given to someone “who has made a significant contribution to his/her School/Division and to Humber College by demonstrating leadership and participation in both the academic and student life of the College while maintaining a strong overall academic record.”
We were marched into the hall with a bagpipe band playing a tune I couldn’t recognize, and seated with our colleagues. Eventually, I was called up to receive the medal … to roaring applause from the crowd. It was all a bit much for me, but I’m told I accepted the award with dignity.
Going up there, I wondered if the thousands of people present could see my legs shaking under my grad gown.
My parents were surprised, as my mother said she recalled not believing what she heard initially when my name was called. My dad said he was busy scrambling to the front to take my picture. It was surreal.
Having survived the program and graduated from college, I’ve come to realize the experience has matured and molded me into who I need to be for the future.
Christian Quequish is a recent Humber College graduate who will study pre-law political science at Lakehead University in the fall, with plans to attend law school when he has completed his degree.