Cheers to an education when everyone knows your name
Rebecca French needed a place where she could get a post-secondary education in classrooms and labs where faculty and staff were on a first name basis.
She found that at NorQuest College’s Wetaskiwin Campus as a student in the Practical Nurse program.
“I like the smaller campus,” says French, who began her time at the campus in the Academic Upgrading program in 2017. “Here we have 27-something students in our class. It has made a huge difference. If you don’t understand something you don’t have to email and book a timeslot with instructors. You just ask and they are more than willing to meet with you right there.”
What makes French’s search for that perfect setting even more interesting is that she isn’t originally from Wetaskiwin. She made the 35-kilometre move from Leduc specifically to fill her needs of becoming a student, and not a number.
“It definitely it is way more personal here than it would be in a larger setting. You get to have chats and conversations, and if you have a family emergency they are very accommodating. They just have that ability because there isn’t as many of us.”
And family is why French is back at school. A single mom of a 10-year-old, she wants the best for her daughter and is willing to take her life after graduation near or far in order to be a stable provider, and a role model.
“What pushed me was the prospect of stability. No matter where we are my education will give me the ability to get a great job. There always a need for nursing even if it’s not in Alberta or a particular area – somewhere there is that need.”
I like the smaller campus. It has made a huge difference. It definitely it is way more personal here than it would be in a larger setting.