Rebecca Jackson
Honours Specialization in English Language and Literature and SASAH Double-Major, Italian Language Minor
Third Year
What is one thing you wish you knew before you started first-year?
As an international student, one thing I wish I knew before I started first year is that you will find your place at Western, but that doesn’t mean you have to find it right away. It’s okay to try a lot of different extracurriculars and to take a few chances to really discover what you enjoy and to find who you want to be at western. Not every club you try is going to be exactly right for you, but don’t be discouraged there is a place for everyone, sometimes it just takes a bit of time and trial and error.
What was your favourite first year course in Arts and Humanities?
My favorite first year course in Arts and Humanities was English 1028G “Storyteller’s Art II: Introduction to Narrative- The Rise of the Machines”. I really enjoyed the content of the course, but also the fact that it really prepared me for university level writing. I felt like I got a chance to see what was expected of me in terms of style and language, which was facilitated by the fact that the novels we studied were really engaging and interesting.
How did you decide on your Major or Honors Specialization?
I came to Western specifically because I was interested in the Arts and Humanities department and SASAH. The diverse subject matter and courses offered through SASAH immediately sparked my interest because It allowed me to engage and pursue so many sectors of Arts and Humanities without ever having to feel I limited myself. In terms of deciding my second major and minor, I was already leaning towards English literature and was definitely aiming to pick up another language, but my choices of English and Italian were solidified by the large variety of courses offered, as well as the community aspect of the degrees that made for consistent engaging conversations with my peers and professors.
Are your professors approachable?
Arts and humanities is one of the smaller faculties and that has proved to be incredibly beneficial when it comes to making connections with professors. The small class sizes mean that your professor can directly engage with you, and even in bigger classes they are always available and happy to talk during office hours. While it can definitely be intimidating at first, I would encourage all students to go to office hours because it will give you a chance to ask questions you need, but also to gain really helpful insight. I have always found my professors so willing to give me suggestions and to help which is really reassuring, especially in first year when you are still adjusting to the academic shift from high school.
What's it like living in residence?
I lived in residence in first year, and I lived on the SASAH / Arts floor, which at the time was in Ontario hall. It meant that I was surrounded by students in the same or similar programs to me, so off the bat we had shared interests and it made it easier to feel at home. It also meant that class discussions were more lively as we had already broken the ice and were comfortable suggesting ideas to each other. Whether you live on an LLC or not, residence definitely gives students a chance to find their place and their friends at Western and the various events throughout the year make meeting new people so easy.
