To start off, say a little about yourself, your interests, your undergraduate degree and what you are doing now.
Hi everyone! My name is Sarah Kelly, and I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from UNB with a Major in Math and a Minor in Chemistry. I have been lucky enough to call Fredericton my home for my entire life, and this fall I will be beginning my Education Degree at St. Thomas University, where I am excited to work towards my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher! I am really passionate about inclusion and helping others have a positive outlook on life, and I hope that I can let those values shine in my classroom as a teacher in the future. In my free time, I love to swim, discover new music, and spend time outdoors with my family and friends.
What would be your best experience during undergrad?
I am grateful to have had so many incredible experiences and opportunities throughout my undergrad, all of which introduced me to the most wonderful people who I am now lucky enough to call friends.
Being on the UNB Swim Team was a big part of my undergrad, and the experience as a whole taught me so much of what I know and value today. My teammates quickly became my second family, and getting to represent UNB alongside of them helped me make memories that I will hold on to forever.
As well, during my grad year, I was a BlackShirt for Orientation Week. This position challenged me to go out of my comfort zone, introduced me to so many students with similar interests, and helped me have a direct impact on the experience of incoming students to UNB. I highly recommend getting involved in Orientation Week throughout your undergrad if that is of interest to you!
What was the thing that surprised you the most during the application process?
Throughout most of my grad year I was really stressed about where I wanted to pursue my Education Degree, and it took me a long time to weigh the pros and cons and make my final decision. Completing applications for your dream program can be scary, as often it seems like you’ve spent a lot of your life thinking about that moment – so much so that it doesn’t fully feel real when you are in the process of applying. I also remember feeling surprised by how quickly the time flew while I worked on my applications. Completing your applications while also working on your current courses can make your schedule feel pretty busy, so I recommend starting as early as you can :)
How did you prepare for the interview process?
Interviews can definitely be nerve-wracking, but I always try to remind myself of why I am interested in what I am applying for, and I let that drive my attention and focus for both my preparation and the interview itself. For me, when applying to different Education Programs, I did a lot of reflection beforehand on what kind of teacher I want to be, what kind of impact I want to have on my students, etc. Be yourself, and by highlighting the things that truly make your heart tick, your passion will shine through!
What were some of your favourite study methods you used during undergrad?
During my undergrad, I found that my study methods varied depending on the content of the course. For my math classes specifically, I always found that doing a lot of practice was the best way for me to solidify concepts in my head. I recommend looking for new practice problems in your textbook and using your assignments as a study tool for practice questions. For tests / exams that covered a lot of different material and formulas that I needed to memorize and understand, I always liked to make summary sheets of my notes that I could easily reference while studying. Not only did this help breakdown the material and make it seem less overwhelming, but it also helped me prioritize which concepts I already understood well, and what topics I needed to ensure I set aside extra time for when studying.
Sarah can be reached at Sarah.Kelly@unb.ca for further questions.