Student Guest Blog Post by Toni Kearney

I’ve always been told that when you’re in love, “you just know”. It’s apparently supposed to be as simple as that. I feel that this same concept can apply when choosing what you want to do in life – “you just know”. You just know where you fit, where you belong, what makes you tick, what makes you excited – you are just supposed to know.

I started my university career in 2012 with absolutely no idea what I wanted to do. I always had an interest in business and politics, so I felt that pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree was a wise choice. After my first month in the program, I was riddled with doubt. Nothing made sense to me. I couldn’t understand business concepts that now seem like  second nature to me. I blamed my doubt on the fact that I was coming from a small town, a small school, and did not have the opportunity to study business in high school. I was lost among 300 other students who all seemed to have their lives together way more than I did.

I came to Dalhousie alone. I knew nobody here. I had never set foot in Nova Scotia until my first day at Dalhousie. In high school, I was valedictorian, senior representative on the school council, and president of every committee and society (one of the perks of going to a small school). And then I came to university – where none of that mattered in the slightest. It seemed that everyone participated in their student council, everyone had stellar marks in high school, everyone was captain of every team.

The first step in succeeding in your first year is to recognize this concept: you are an equal with everyone around you. Learn to accept that this is not high school anymore – you are not king of the castle, you are a small fish in a huge pond now. After recognizing this, I was able to begin to focus on what I wanted to do with my career and university experience, and ultimately, how to stand out in the workforce from the hundreds of other students just like you.

The beauty of the Bachelor of Commerce program at Dalhousie is the three mandatory work terms you complete. Through these work terms, you are able to experience different industries and get a taste of different career choices. Your co-op experiences set you apart – they give you a competitive edge in the workforce. Co-op work terms aside, what you do outside of the office and classroom truly matters too.

Your co-op experiences set you apart – they give you a competitive edge in the workforce. Co-op work terms aside, what you do outside of the office and classroom truly matters too.

The second step in succeeding in your first year is to get involved. I founded the Rowe Marketing Association last year with four of my colleagues and have since held the role of Vice President of Creative Development. It may surprise you to know that my biggest mistake in my university career was not getting involved in opportunities outside of the classroom sooner. There are hundreds of societies at Dalhousie – all of which are open to join and meant for you to explore your interests, meet new people, and to make a difference.

The third and final step in succeeding in your first year is to stop worrying about the future, and focus on what is happening around you. Deciding what you will major in does not restrict you in your first year or beyond. By the end of first semester I wanted to major in accounting because I did well and enjoyed Introductory Financial Accounting. Now, my eyes glaze over when someone mentions a balance sheet. It took me a while to realize that I’m a creative individual and that marketing is truly where I belong. It wasn’t until the end of second year that I recognized this. In your first year, focus on the content of your courses, focus on the new experiences, and on seizing opportunities.

So how do you know where you belong? How do you know what makes you tick? When do you learn what you want to do in your life? There’s no time frame – it’s a constant learning experience. Your goals and ambitions will change drastically in the next four years, and this is the time when you need to be open to that change. But when the time comes for you to decide on where to apply for your first co-op, your last co-op, or your first job out of university, be sure to weigh your options and not be afraid to try something new.

Toni Kearney is a fourth year Bachelor of Commerce student, majoring in Marketing Management and minoring in Philosophy. Toni is one of the founders of the Rowe Marketing Association, and since its inauguration as held the role of Vice President of Creative Development. She is originally from a small town of 150 on the north east coast of Newfoundland, and describes herself as a right-brainer, passionate about branding, advertising, writing, and politics.