Liz

Breton

Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science, Bachelor of Education
Midhurst, ON

I have always wanted to be a teacher. I always assumed I'd go to the school my mom attended, as she is an amazing teacher. But through tours I realized that I had no interest in attending a larger institution. I told my parents I wanted to be a big fish in a small pond. I knew I needed to go somewhere that would allow and encourage me to grow and change. I thought the best way to do that would be choosing to attend a school with a smaller environment. I applied to 4 schools and was accepted to and offered scholarships to all. After taking tours I was able to narrow down my four schools to two, one of which being Lakehead.

Ultimately, when I applied to Lakehead it was a sign out front; a building site more than a university. But I liked the idea of Lakehead. The possibilities it could create for me seemed too good to pass on. The warm and welcoming people and overall environment fulfilled everything I could have hoped for in a school. In my four years here I have seen such growth, on a personal level and a literal one. Lakehead fosters kindness the same way it fosters a sense of community and of home. It encourages growth and development. That's why I chose Lakehead. That's why I love Lakehead.

As cheesy as it sounds, I can't say anything bad about Lakehead. What I like about academic and student life at Lakehead is academic and student life at Lakehead. The Interdisciplinary Studies program allows students to explore their interests. As a somewhat indecisive person, I've had the opportunity to dabble. To find areas I'm interested in that I was previously unaware of entirely.

Lakehead has expanded my thinking in a multitude of ways. Not only have I been taught to look at things from an academic standpoint with a critical eye but also my horizons have been broadened on the whole. I like to think that I approach problems and situations from a more global standpoint than I once did and am able to make more complex inferences and connections in daily life. But more than that, I am able to communicate in a more intelligent fashion than I was previously able. I've met more people and have become associated with various communities and subpockets of the Lakehead world and the world of Simcoe County. These experiences have expanded my thinking and my mindset hugely on the whole. I've worked with the Student Union, the Alumni Association, and Recruitment and as an Orientation Leader among other things. Each of these experiences has taught me a great deal about myself.

My Lakehead experience has far exceeded anything I could have hoped for in a university experience. My time at Lakehead has prepared me for what's next. I often look back on my decision to come here as one of the better decisions I've ever made. Both academically and personally, Lakehead encourages students to push themselves. I am confident that the exceptional experience Lakehead has provided me with will allow me to succeed in my future as a teacher

When people accept their offer to Lakehead, I always say "Welcome to the Family" and I mean it. It's not just something I say. Lakehead fosters kindness in its students the same way that it fosters a sense of community and of home. You aren't confined to friends in your program or year level, you can and will meet everyone.

If I had to describe my time at Lakehead in two words I think they'd be growth and home. My time as an Orientation Leader taught me to expand my comfort zone, to go after opportunities and to interact with as many people as possible, because everyone has such cool and unique stories. These lessons made way for my time as a Tour Guide. Being a Tour Guide has allowed me to better my communication skills while interacting with thousands of prospective students. The people I have been able to meet as a result have entirely enriched my life.

Lakehead, in itself, has for me been an exceptional experience. My professors have been amazing and involved and invested in my education. My roles in student life have been entirely life changing. When they first rolled out the new branding "Exceptional, Unconventional" I remember wondering why they chose the word Unconventional. But now, I understand. Not every student can speak as highly of his or her school as I can of Lakehead. Not every student knows his or her Profs personally. Lakehead provides students with an Exceptional and Unconventional experience that is truly second to none and I am lucky to be able to say I've had this experience.