August 23rdA CMU Student's Reflection
During this past school year, I learned that post-secondary education is really hard. The assignments, the readings, the papers, the projects, the tests… they all tend to amass into a conglomeration of tasks and expectations that can be daunting to tackle. I eventually felt the relief of surmounting the school-related challenges set before me, but the journey was far from easy. Yet, despite the intense coursework, my overall experience at Canadian Mennonite University over the last two years has been overwhelmingly positive and formative. I met extraordinary people, I immersed myself in vibrant university events, and I created beautiful memories that will be a part of me forever. Even amongst the trials and tribulations of coursework, I felt God’s presence in the community of Canadian Mennonite University.
At CMU I always knew that I had a strong support network, especially in residence. If I was in for a long night of studying for a midterm the next day, I could head over to the main residence lounge to work in solidarity with fellow students, or meet up with a couple of friends and help each other review. I never felt that I was alone in my endeavors - all the other students were going through the same challenges as me, and there was comfort in knowing that. In addition, the small class sizes of CMU mean that students have a much easier time accessing their professors for help and resources. Throughout my time at CMU, I could feel God working through the care and support demonstrated by the students and professors.
In university, it’s important to avoid burnout by breaking up the time you spend working. Residence Assistants, Commuter Assistants (now called Student Navigators), Student Council, and other groups within CMU provide ample opportunities for students to take a break from their worries, make connections with others, and have fun! For example, one of my favorite events from this past year was a sleepover in the campus library, which was organized by a couple of Residence Assistants. A group of students watched a movie on a projector, competed in a scavenger hunt among the bookshelves, and played video games on a bedsheet. There were many school-related things on my mind that day, but the sleepover gave me a chance to take a breather, enjoy myself, and spend time with my friends and peers. In this event and in many others, I could see God at work through the laughter, the friendships, and the creation of memories.
Yes, university is hard. But during the past two school years, I learned that university can be amazing, too. At Canadian Mennonite University I witnessed God’s work in the community, from the personal and reachable support systems to the meaningful moments of connection. My time as a CMU student may be over, but I hope that many more students will have the opportunity to experience the CMU community as I did.