Counselling, career and financial supports have become the norm
Dr. Tanya Spencer remembers her introduction to post-secondary well – partly because it was such a big change in her life.
“I’m a rural kid,” Spencer told host Doug Dirks during her Sept. 3 guest spot on CBC Radio’s Alberta at Noon. “I went from a district of 350 people to a very large city. I was very excited but had no idea what I was getting myself into.”
As a student counsellor at NAIT, Spencer knows that many students feel the same as they start their education at the polytechnic, regardless of their backgrounds.
To help them, she joined Dirks and MacEwan University provost and vice-president academic Dr. Craig Monk to share insight into the modern student experience and how to make the most of it. Here’s a recap.
Listen to the entire episode of Alberta at Noon
Times have changed
When Spencer started university in the 1990s, mental health care mostly meant things like shooting pool with friends. As far as stress and anxiety went, “school wasn’t branded as the place where you would air those things.”
Fortunately, she told Dirks, “we’ve seen a big shift.” Today's students are actively encouraged to not only air those feelings but to seek support for them – which post-secondary institutes such as NAIT are well equipped to provide.
Learn more about mental health resources at NAIT
You have options
Spencer joked that there were about a dozen types of jobs to choose from when she was planning her career. Today there are hundreds (NAIT alone offers more than 110 programs). Given so many choices, it’s fair that “not everybody has found their calling yet” – even if they’ve already enrolled.
To help, schools such as NAIT are positioned to offer the advice students need to work toward goals that match their passions. “We will do our level best to make sure people know what’s available to them,” then put them on the path to finding that calling, said Spencer.
See how NAIT’s Career Advising can help you
Money matters
Costs shouldn't stand between you and an education. “Most post-secondaries have an office to help with the financial side of things,” said Spencer.
At NAIT, that includes aids such as loans and grants, and awards such as scholarships and bursaries. It also includes staff who can help guide students through the process of applying for support. “I would invite people to rely on those experts,” said Spencer.
Learn more about Financial Aid options at NAIT
Most importantly, have fun
No matter what you study, it’s going to take dedication and hard work. But along with the tough times, there will be as many good ones.
“Enjoy the heck out of it,” said Spencer. “And know that whatever life throws at you, this will be worth it.”