Back when I was in high school, I had the same worries about graduating and going to university that many students do: would I fit in, should I follow where my friends are going, what should I pick as a major, etc. It was the latter that really gnawed at me, because I had so many interests! I eventually narrowed it down to either Physics or International relations, two subjects I was very interested in studying yet both in very opposite disciplines. Mount Allison has great programs for both of these, and I learned that through the distribution course system, I would be able to study both subjects in my first year without falling behind once I picked one to stick with. Having the knowledge that I could experiment with courses while adjusting to university life was such a relief (I eventually picked International relations, but we’ll save that story for another time).

I was also a decent soccer player in high school and thought I might as well give it a shot at the university level. I sent emails to most coaches in Atlantic Canada introducing myself. Some got back to me, some didn’t, but the warmest reply I got was by far from the team at MtA, with both the head coach and Curtis Michaelis from the Registrar’s Office inviting me to recruiting weekend that spring, soon after which I committed, sealing the deal that I would be a MtA student!

Arriving on campus as a new student was daunting for many reasons, foremost among them that I was the only student from my graduating class in rural Cape Breton who chose MtA. If this is the situation you find yourself in, coming to MtA; don’t be alarmed, there’s probably many more new Mounties in the same situation than you’d expect, and it’s ok to be worried about making new friends. It may even end up being a blessing in disguise! The Mounties athletics family warmly welcomes all its new recruits, which is very nice as it can be intimidating for athletes making the jump to university competition. I have my friends from home who chose other universities but have made an entire new group of amazing friends at MtA. Living in residence is the closest thing to being forced to make new friends (this is a good thing!). It is undoubtedly scary, but everyone is in the same boat! The most important thing is to approach every new experience at university with an open mind, and good things will follow close behind!