A journey from first to senior year

Post-secondary life is full of memorable moments and personal growth!

Post-secondary education is like a rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns from your first to your senior year. The first year feels like jumping into a pool not knowing how to swim. You arrive with a suitcase packed with dreams (and probably way too many clothes) and a head full of confusion. Orientation week goes by in a blur of small talk, campus tours and meeting your classmates.

Fast forward to senior year and it’s like you’re soaring through the air with your arms raised, caught between excitement and nostalgia. You’ve traded that suitcase for a cap and gown and now your biggest worry is finding a job instead of locating your classes. Looking back, you realize how much you’ve learned, both in and out of the classroom during your journey from first to senior year.

We had the chance to talk to some final-year students and listen to their stories, which were both eye-opening and inspiring. They reminded me of how much we all grew during these years!

Stepping out of the comfort zone

A woman in saree is standing in a hall. — *Picture provided by Hitasha Gheewala.*

I sat down with Hitasha Gheewala, who’s pursuing a bachelor in child and youth care. I got some great tips from Gheewala for handling stress during finals and midterms: write down your daily and weekly tasks so that you can check them off as you go. She also uses calendar and reminder apps to track her free time!

When it’s time to chill, Gheewala makes sure to take breaks by going for walks, watching shows or hanging out with friends.

“The parties [IGNITE Concert] are one of my favourite events that IGNITE hosts. They let us meet new individuals who have similar interests and are a ton of fun,” Gheewala said when asked about her favourite memory from an on-campus event.

The best advice she’s received? Embrace discomfort and step outside your comfort zone. Gheewala believes you grow by challenging yourself, whether it’s getting through a tough program, taking on leadership roles or trying new experiences. She has learned that both success and failure teach valuable lessons, helping her become a more adaptable and resourceful person.

Looking back to her first year, she wishes she had spent more time connecting with instructors and peers. The pandemic made networking tough, but she’s been working on building those important relationships now!

Celebrating connections and authenticity

A man is sitting outside on a bench. — *Picture provided by Leroy Efe Agholor.*

I also spoke with Leroy Efe Agholor, a class of 2025 digital communications student at Humber Polytechnic.

“The most important lesson I learned was to make friends and wonderful connections,” Agholor said.

He highlights that having a solid support system makes late-night study sessions much more enjoyable. On tough days, chatting with classmates about shared struggles helped him stay motivated and made everything feel more manageable.

If he could do it all again, Agholor would make friends earlier and engage more with his professors. Those casual conversations can lead to great opportunities! He also discovered how expressive and inspiring he can be. Now, he embraces his authenticity as something people genuinely appreciate.

Agholor is excited about graduation and can’t wait to celebrate with his friends and family. He looks forward to sharing this special day with his loved ones and reflecting on all his hard work!

Exploring opportunities

A woman is standing outside in nature. — *Picture provided by Angelina West.*

I also talked to Angelina West, who began her journey in 2020 in the bachelor of commerce international business program. West described the transition from high school to post-secondary during the pandemic as a wild ride, feeling like she experienced three different post-secondary journeys.

West considers her advertising class as the highlight of her studies, as her passion for it fueled her success. She learned the importance of aligning her major aspirations with her personal values for her future career.

For incoming first-year students, West shares a piece of advice.

“My tip is to explore your options. Get out and seek opportunities and try your hand at different things,” West said. She encourages students to utilize the available resources and networking opportunities provided by Humber and the University of Guelph-Humber and indulge in as many activities as possible!

As she looks forward to graduating in April 2025, West believes that learning never stops, and she is excited to engage in creative projects using everything she’s learned.

A group of women are standing together and laughing while wearing graduation gowns. — *Picture by Humber College – Humber’s Digital Asset Management*.

The first year is all about making connections, while your senior year is all about celebrating the journey and cherishing the memories. Time flies and, before you know it, you’ll be looking back at all those incredible moments, thinking, “Wow, what a ride!”

Each year in post-secondary education is a unique chapter filled with growth, laughter and unforgettable events. As you navigate this journey from first to senior year, remember to cherish each moment because post-secondary education isn’t just about the degree, it’s about the experiences that shape who you are.

As you prepare for graduation, be sure to capture those unforgettable moments with professional photos! Visit Studio Nostalgia and schedule your graduation photos today! All you need is to choose a date, bring $10 and your student number!

May your study sessions be short, your skills enhanced and your friendships last forever. Cheers to student life!

Feature image courtesy of Pang Yuhao via Unsplash.

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