Spread your wings, says Student of the Year
Evolution and opportunity. That鈥檚 what 外流影片 has meant to Student of the Year Darcy Shea as she graduates with a Bachelor of Business Administration diploma in one hand and a one-year contract to work at Disney World in the other.
鈥淚鈥檝e evolved so much since first year,鈥� she says, 鈥淚鈥檓 almost a different person.鈥� She left her hometown of Waterdown, Ontario, because she wanted to go to a small university with a good reputation. An Acadia campus tour in her grade 12 summer sealed the decision.
鈥淚 fell in love with Acadia as soon as I stepped on campus,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t was beautiful.鈥�
On her first day, she was recruited to play for the Ultimate Frisbee team. She successfully ran for vice-president of the club and made good friends, and she hasn鈥檛 stopped since. She鈥檚 been on house council, was a Resident Assistant, joined the Students鈥� Union, and took part in Relay for Life. In fourth year, she was elected to the Students鈥� Union Executive and developed new and close friendships.
鈥淚鈥檝e learned at Acadia it鈥檚 never too late to get involved and make new friends,鈥� she says. She鈥檚 proud of having participated in Welcome Week every year, starting as an incoming student and ending as a member of the Executive.
Shea鈥檚 advice to prospective students? 鈥淢eet as many new people as you can. Be aware that you鈥檙e always changing, and be prepared to adapt. Get involved, and spread your wings!鈥�
Her biggest surprise was the opportunities she received at Acadia, including attending the Atlantic Residence Conference. 鈥淭here were people there from Mount Allison, Dalhousie, St. FX, Acadia 鈥� it was really cool,鈥� she says.
Shea sees her work contract with Disney World as a gap year while she figures out her next step, whether to continue her education or start a career.
鈥淭he opportunities I was given at Acadia I would never have had at a big school,鈥� Shea says. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 have had the confidence or the ability to jump for them or take advantage of them.鈥�
It鈥檚 hard to imagine this young woman ever having lacked confidence to jump for an opportunity. But maybe that鈥檚 evolution.
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