Why UCalgary? 

I’m originally from Lloydminster, a small city right on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Honestly, my home town got boring pretty quickly. When I was looking at universities, I knew I wanted to go somewhere further away, and Calgary always felt like the perfect fit. I’ve always been athletic, and I loved coming to Calgary for sports tournaments. The city’s energy really caught my attention, and I knew it was where I wanted to be. I also had aspirations to become a nurse, and the nursing program at UCalgary felt like the ideal place for me to start that journey. Choosing the direct-entry route was definitely the right decision, and I can honestly say I’ve never doubted choosing UCalgary. The university is such a welcoming space with plenty of study spots, diverse perspectives, and engaging courses. Being a Dino has been an incredible experience, and I absolutely love the vibrant atmosphere on campus.
  

Why Nursing? 

From a young age, I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. After researching the field and talking to registered nurses, I realized just how fulfilling nursing can be. It’s all about caring for patients and their families, which really resonated with me. Since I’m naturally social, working in a hospital setting felt like the perfect fit. The nursing program at UCalgary is exactly what I was looking for – it blends theory with hands-on labs and clinical practice, which has been so important in my development as a future nurse. As I continue my studies, I’ve only fallen more in love with nursing and the incredible people I meet along the way. I’ve made amazing connections with fellow students, faculty members, and instructors. The energy in the nursing community is always so positive, and learning alongside people who support and challenge you has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. I wouldn’t trade the experiences or the relationships I’ve built for anything.

Awesome Extracurriculars! 

This year, I had the honor of joining the Sparks Awards Group in the Faculty of Nursing. I like to think of it as "the award show of nursing"! Faculty members submit nominations for various categories, and we get together to deliberate and pick the winners. At the end of the year, we host a banquet to celebrate everyone’s achievements, where we recognize undergraduate and graduate students, educators, Alberta Health Services staff, and so much more. It’s an amazing way to celebrate all the hard work and dedication in our nursing community.

Residence 

I’ve been lucky to live in residence throughout both of my years at UCalgary. Coming from a small town that’s six hours away, residence was a huge deal for me. It provided a safe and supportive environment, and I had the chance to meet so many people from all different walks of life. There’s always something going on in residence, from floor events to building-wide activities, which made it a lot of fun. I highly recommend living in residence, especially if you’re a first-year student – it’s a great way to make connections and settle into university life.

Outside of School  

When I’m not studying or in class, I like to stay active or just relax. You can find me at the gym, going for a walk, trying out new sports, or hiking around Calgary. I also love catching a Flames game whenever I can! On the flip side, I enjoy cozying up in bed to work on homework, video chatting with family and friends, reading a good book, or watching the latest blockbuster movie.