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Diary of a College Crony: Are We Having Fun Yet?

Student blogger Ceilidh Millar is working harder than she ever imagined in BCIT's Broadcast Journalism program.

Here’s the scoop. Christmas holidays are over and I’m back at school. During the break, I had a chance to catch up with friends who were home from university. By all accounts, they’re having the time of their life. They regaled me with stories about cool parties, wild weekend trips and antics of living in residence.

OK, am I missing something here? My post-secondary experience has been the exact opposite. Long days of classes, evenings and weekends filled with assignments and studying… pure slog! Forget about those wild dorm parties. In my dorm there’s complete silence by 9:00 pm – everyone is in his or her room studying or passed out from exhaustion!

An exhausted Ceilidh takes a nap at school.

I found my first end of semester experience overwhelming! Eight finals in four days… brutal! I spent my evenings at the campus broadcast centre cramming for exams and editing film till 3:00 in the morning. Ah, beautiful sleep is now my idea of fun!
 
Was I at “no fun tech?” Had I chosen the wrong school? Over the break, I had time to reflect on why I selected this college in the first place.
 
I chose BCIT because it has a great Media Communications program. I wanted a program that focused on practical training in addition to the academics. The program covers both aspects and students can be secure in the knowledge they’ll be well prepared to enter the job force. BCIT has one of the best track records of producing top graduates who are sought after by employers.
 
Although it may be entertaining to be at “fun time U,” I know the true purpose of college. I believe in post-secondary education that gets results: a job! BCIT has accelerated programs. Students are basically doing four years in two. My university friends take only four courses a semester; I’m taking eight, resulting in 16 courses a term plus a practicum. Yeah, no wonder I’m tired!
 
I reminded myself: I’ll have two years of experience working in the industry by the time my university friends even graduate. Yes, I definitely made the right decision.
 
Nobody said it was going to be easy. You know the saying, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” Well, by the time I graduate, I should be Hercules! Watch out world!