UR Guarantee Student Profile: Alyshia Van Kannel

Posted: February 4, 2014 10:20 a.m.

Alyshia Van Kannel, Education student Photo courtesy of Alyshia Van Kannel

My name is Alyshia Van Kannel. I am in my fourth year of elementary education (Pre K-5). I graduated high school in Drumheller, AB, but returned to Regina because I had always enjoyed the city and I felt very at home at the University of Regina. The Education program here has been great and my pre-internship and internship semesters were definitely the highlights that have helped me to feel prepared in starting my teaching career.

I joined the UR Guarantee Program in my first semester of university because I believed that it would better prepare me for getting a teaching job, knowing what my strengths and weaknesses are, and how to get involved in the university community. The assurance that I would have an extra year of school if I couldn’t find a job didn’t hurt either! It has definitely been worth it and I feel very fortunate to have this program on our campus.

If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be to put yourself out there. If you do you will leave university a different person than you were when you arrived here. Don’t regret wasting this experience! I think I’m probably one of the most introverted, shy people you’d ever meet, so it’s completely out of character for me to try new or social things. It’s challenging for me. However, just once in awhile (maybe if it’s something that I’m really passionate about, or a one-time commitment so I have an out if I need it, or something really unique), I’ll take the plunge and try it. And guess what? I’ve learned some neat things from International Development Week seminars, met some interesting people at a random club meeting that I don’t even recall the name of, and had some unforgettable experiences! If you need to drag a friend along, hang out at the snack table for the evening, or become the life of the party, it doesn’t really matter! Just try it. University is where we broaden our worldviews, learn new things, and challenge ourselves. And that often happens in unexpected ways that you won’t always discover by hanging out with your core friends from high school or your textbooks. Have fun!