Salma B.

I am currently a student at the University of Alberta studying Biological Sciences as a major, however this was not always clear for me. As students, a setback that we encounter in life is when we are unable to choose a career path or meet an academic goal within a certain time frame. One specific setback that I encountered as a university student was deciding which major to declare during my second year. Although I had an idea of what subject areas I enjoyed learning about – both math and biology – I went straight into university from high school not knowing which of those subjects I wanted to pursue for my undergraduate. Instead, I took courses in both subject areas and hoped that by the time I did make a decision, I’d have enough credits in both areas.

During the summer after my second year, I met with counselors to learn what courses were offered. Doing so helped me to decide my major – biology. One of the main reasons I chose to do a biology degree was because it brings me one step closer to eventually becoming a family physician, which is a career I intend to pursue. Taking the time to do some research and talk to counselors was very helpful and I wish I had known about these available resources earlier.

My advice for someone going into university who is not sure of the programs offered is to take the time to talk to a counselor if you are unsure of what career path you want to pursue. They will guide you through what programs are offered and what majors/minors are necessary to pursue the career you want. Additionally, it is important to take your time and go at a steady pace. Many individuals are fixated on finishing their undergraduate in four years, however, it is perfectly fine to take an extra year or two to complete a degree. When it comes to your academic success, it’s not a competition of who can finish faster, it’s your own journey. What matters is that you continue at a steady pace. Utilizing the resources available to you as a student and taking the time to do research on different faculties can be very beneficial and can get you a step closer to achieving your goals.