Transferring to CMU

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On October 25, 2016

In 2016-17, academics

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One year ago my life looked very different than it does now… I was attending university, taking classes to complete my math degree, and already dreaming of summer break so I could travel, camp, and hike again. You may be wondering how this is any different than my life currently? And you’re right… it’s not really. But at the same time it was SO different!

A year ago I was beginning my second year at a local university in B.C. that is widely known as a “commuter campus.” Almost no one lives on campus, so the mind-set is that you go to class, sit down, take notes, and leave again. “Community” isn’t really a word that fit into anyone’s vocabulary. However, for myself that was what was missing! A couple years prior I had spent 6 months living in a wonderful community at a bible school in southern Germany. I was longing to experience something like that again… and my current university was not quite making the cut. I couldn’t imagine how I was going to get through the next few years of school in the environment I was in. So I began searching for other options, and before I knew it I was registered for CMU!

I knew that coming in as a transfer student wouldn’t be easy. Transferring credits is a real pain, never mind the fact that it’s difficult to jump into a tight-knit community of people and find a place you fit in or a group that you feel a part of. But the fears that I had were soon drowned out by the sound of people welcoming me to sit with them at snack time, and classmates asking how my transition to a new school and province was going. Professors and advisor’s doors were always open, and they genuinely seemed to care about not only my success in the classroom but outside of it, as well, something that I had never experienced in university before.

I could tell that CMU was a school full of people who were intentional about building friendships, and welcoming others, like myself, into that community life. This open and welcoming environment is what has made all the difference in my university experience so far. My hope is to go on to complete my Bachelor of Education degree with the desire to teach internationally one day.

Guest blogger Daniela is a math and social sciences major.

The wonderful world of business

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On October 18, 2016

In 2016-17, academics

Canadian-Mennonite-University-student

In my last year of high school, I was far from sure where I would end up going for post-secondary education. My leaning was toward business, but I didn’t know where I would go. I ended up at CMU after hearing about it and the Redekop School of Business (RSB) from one of my teachers. I loved the idea of a small school with a Christian perspective, as I had experienced in high school.

After talking with admissions and attending an open house, I was sold! A nice bonus was the scholarships that have been so generously provided by the Redekop family for business students. I’m so glad I chose CMU, because I have made so many friendships and had great experiences here through classes and living on campus.

But why am I taking business? I wasn’t interested in the medical field, no matter how much my mother tried to persuade me. Getting a business degree is a great step towards a career in the business world, which is ever expanding. For me, I need a degree before I can go after an accounting designation through the CPA program, and business makes the most sense to lay that foundation. But there are so many other possibilities within the business program, from management to entrepreneurism to international business to marketing! The core of the business degree gives students the opportunity to learn about all of the aforementioned categories and more.

Doing business at CMU may seem challenging, but the professors here are amazing. It’s great to be able to stop in and have a chat with them about a difficult assignment question, potential topics for your looming end-of-the-semester paper, or just a chat over a cup of coffee at one of the cafés on campus. In the RSB, we have the benefit of having a huge variety of people teaching our classes, many of whom work full-time doing what they are teaching. It’s great to know that they are giving us both textbook knowledge and experiential wisdom from the real business world.

Another great facet of CMU’s business program is the project opportunities that we have in the latter courses. I have had the opportunity to apply course concepts to real businesses and non-profit organizations, such as Siloam Mission. Last year’s project brought us before the board of Siloam for our final presentation!

For many people, a business degree, or even a handful of business courses, are a great idea. Whether you’re planning to take over the family business, become an entrepreneur, or just want to brush up on your presentational and other professional skills – it will be a huge assent for your future career!

Guest blogger Vanessa is a fourth year business student at CMU.

When campus is home: Why I live here

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On October 13, 2016

In 2016-17, residence life

When campus is home, you can grow ancient squash in the community garden

When campus is home, you can grow ancient squash in the community garden

When I came to CMU, living on campus seemed like an obvious choice to me, and it’s one that I don’t regret. I am in my third year and have lived on campus for all three of those years. Dorm life was a great way to transition to living on my own, without having to make all my own food and commute right away. Being surrounded by a supportive community helped me to settle into all the new patterns of university life.

In my first year, I chose to live in dorm because I wanted to get involved in the community at CMU. I had an incredible experience. Dorm was a great living environment because I was surrounded by people who were doing what I was doing, and there was always someone to connect with. If I had a lot of work to do in one night, I was never doing it alone. It became normal that most evenings, I would be working on assignments and reading with a group of friends, in someone’s room or the lounge. We would work together, ask questions, and encourage each other to take breaks or focus when needed. I don’t think I could have got everything done without the support of the residence community!

Another benefit to living on campus is that you don’t have to look far for a good time. Even though the life a student can be stressful and busy, it is just as important to have fun and relax. Some highlights of living on campus include late night board games in lounges, impromptu movie nights, and deep, philosophical conversations in the hallways. These unexpected moments have made my dorm experience memorable. It was these times when I laughed the hardest, where I made deep friendships, and that I will remember the most.

One highlight of living on campus is snack every night. Between 9:00 and 10:30, the cafeteria opens and there is a tasty snack for all students living on campus. Pretty much everyone on campus pulls themselves away from their textbooks for this time, to take a break and build community. Even though I now live in an apartment on campus, snack is still part of my everyday routine, where I can check in with friends after a busy day.

I have made the choice to keep living on campus because everything is accessible to me. I don’t have to worry about the weather in the morning or busing home at night. I have a five minute walk to the library, my farthest class is ten minutes away, and I am surrounded by a supportive community.

Laura

5 ways to create a study space you love

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On October 8, 2016

In 2016-17, academics, student life

Photo: ZSZee, Flikr

Photo: ZSZee, Flikr

Studying can be a dreaded part of university, which can lead to a frustrating and stressful experience. But it can also have the potential to be a time that you can learn to enjoy and benefit from! Here are five ways that you can make your study space both pleasing and efficient:

  1. Learn which kind of study place you benefit the most from: Individuals have different learning styles, and knowing yours can dramatically enhance your studying. Some students need a constant stream of bustling sounds, music in the background, and maybe a friend to study with. The folio café, mezzanine area, student centre and dorm room lounges are great locations for that kind of studying to take place at CMU. Other students, like myself, prefer quieter atmospheres and less distracting places where you can  focus on your thoughts without much distraction. At CMU, I suggest studying in the library, dorm rooms, practice rooms, and the Blaurock café.
  1. It’s all about the light: Lighting can work wonders for your study experience. Whether it is natural light or a lamp, you should try to have the sort of lighting which keeps you alert but does not cause you to strain your vision or fall asleep.
  1. Take breaks: It may seem counterproductive to take breaks instead of hunkering down for a couple of hours to get that essay done, but taking an intentional break (like a 15 minute walk or a conversation with a friend) can help you return to your work with more energy and motivation. It also helps prevent sore muscles in the long run.
  1. Organizational skills: Studying can be much easier if you can organize your thoughts and information ahead of time. Lists, post-it notes, whiteboards, and different coloured pens are all great things which can help keep track of the material and your thought processes as you work yourself through it. These materials can also help you break down lectures into sizeable chunks and highlight important tidbits of information.
  1. Keep your study space a place where you feel comfortable: Keeping your study space your own can take many shapes and forms. It might mean keeping a tidy desk or sprawling out your books and notes. It can mean having space that has enough space to sit up and stretch, or a couch where you can make a nest using blankets.

César

Imagine yourself on campus: Why visit?

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On October 3, 2016

In 2016-17, events

When I was in the process of trying to decide where I wanted to go to university, a huge part of my decision was going and visiting the schools that I was considering. Being able to see a university gave me a sense of what it was like to be a student there. When I came to visit CMU, I knew that I could picture myself here.

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Four good reasons to come visit campus:

  1. Picture yourself there: It is really important to be a student in a place where you feel comfortable and where you can picture yourself, whether you are a commuter or living on campus. At CMU, campus visit days give you the opportunity to eat in the cafeteria, see a dorm room, and hang out in Marpeck Commons. These are the main places where students spend their time, and it’s a great opportunity to see if you can picture yourself there too.
  1. Learn about programs: When I was in the process of applying for universities and thinking about what I wanted to study, I only really knew about the programs that I had friends in or heard stories about. Coming to campus can give you an introduction to the wide range of courses that are offered and the different degrees, majors, and concentrations available at CMU.
  1. Meet professors and students: Going to visit a university means getting to see more than the building and hearing about the programs; it’s also an opportunity to interact with people you could potentially be spending a lot of time with. I always love hearing about the things my professors and fellow students care about. Coming to campus can be a chance to hear students talk about what they love to study. You’ll realize that the professors love what they teach and care about their students.
  1. Ask questions and get answers: When I feel overwhelmed by decisions or a lot of new information, I often don’t know where to begin asking questions because there are so many. What kinds of dorm rooms are there? What kind of food is in the cafeteria? What is an interdisciplinary degree? Do you have to be Mennonite? Why would I choose a small university? A campus visit day is an opportunity for you to be guided through the campus and have the space to ask questions, hear others’ questions, and get answers right away.

Even though there is a lot to take in, seeing the campus and meeting people is a good place to start thinking about university. Our next campus visit days are Friday, November 4 and 25. We have an open house on October 21. You can find more details here.

Laura

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