My first impression of Ontario Tech as a BEd student

Allow me to preface this article by stating that I already have an undergraduate degree, which I completed through my prior university located in the heart of Toronto’s hustle and bustle. My experience there was not what I expected, as someone who has always been known as a “country bumpkin.”

With that being said, prior to being accepted to Ontario Tech, or even visiting Ontario Tech for the first time, I knew that this school would fulfill everything my previous school could not do for me. I made Ontario Tech my first choice for my Bachelor of Education degree, and I was beyond ecstatic when I learned that I had been accepted.

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You would think that I would have visited our campus prior to knowing I needed to attend our school. However, that was not the case. I truly just knew that this place would be everything I needed for my academic journey, and I am so glad that I trusted my gut with this one.

My first day on campus confirmed everything I originally felt about Ontario Tech. I hadn’t visited the school prior to my first day of classes, so I got there about 30 minutes early just to make sure I had all of my ducks in a row. I don’t know how I managed to get lost on my five-minute walk from the Mary Street garage to the Education Building, but I did. However, this gave me a good chance to explore the area a little better, and get a feel for Downtown Oshawa.

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When I made it to class, I was still on time and was blown away when I entered the classroom. Here are a few things that shocked me in the best of ways:

Group seating

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that we were encouraged to sit in groups, as opposed to the traditional seating style of rows that I was accustomed to from my previous university.

Smaller class sizes

The small class size was so refreshing to see, and I cannot adequately express how valued I feel, knowing that my instructors will end up knowing who I am, instead of having a class so large that I would just blend in with all of the other talking heads in a class of 100+.

Professors who know your name

When my instructor had us make nametags, I was left speechless by the fact that someone wanted to know more about me than just my student number and she immediately wanted to match a name to a face.

Clean bathrooms

Unless you came from a densely packed school prior to going to Ontario Tech, you may not have an appreciation for what I am about to say. But when I tell you that the bathrooms are immaculate, I mean it. We have paper towels!

Close campus

This may not apply to everyone, but at least for me, I appreciate the fact that every single one of my classes is in the same building. I couldn’t believe it when I read my schedule. I was so accustomed to racing across the streets of Yonge-Dundas Square and nearly getting hit by cars, cyclists, and racing business people, that not having to bounce around from building to building in an impossible timeframe was the icing on this Ontario Tech cake for me.

After just one week at Ontario Tech, I am beyond confident when I say that I know I made the right decision in coming to this school for my BEd. Part of me wishes that I had been here all along, but I know that my past university experiences have helped me appreciate Ontario Tech all the more. I am so in love with this school, and I cannot wait to see how the next 16 months pan out!

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