What is it Like to Attend Trinity Western University

What is it Like to Attend Trinity Western University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Brittany earned her bachelors degree in theatre from Trinity Western University in 2013. She specializes in math tutoring, SAT tutoring, and a number of other areas. Below, she shared her experience as a student at Trinity Western University. Read on! Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Brittany: Trinity Western University is located in a very beautiful, rural area. Its tucked away from the city and, although transport trains come through campus frequently, it is quite peaceful. Its easy to get to malls and grocery stores by car or by transit, as theres a bus station at the entrance of campus. Its a very safe, tranquil community. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Brittany: Professors at Trinity are extremely involved and available for the students. Part of the orientation process includes dinner and games at a professor or staff members home. I believe its something that really sets the university apart from other programs, because you know that the people teaching you are investing in helping you grow and succeed. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Brittany: I lived in dorms my first year and I found that it was a bit of a hit or miss. Some people thrive in dorms. Since I was a theatre major, however, I wasnt able to participate in a whole lot of the social aspects of dorm life. I think dorm life has improved since I graduated, due to feedback from the students and renovations on living spaces. That said, dining options are extremely limited due to the small size of the university, and cafeteria prices are pretty high for the average student. I preferred to grocery shop and utilize the fridge and kitchen in my dorm as much as possible when I lived on campus. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Brittany: The majors you will encounter the most at TWU are Human Kinetics and Business. Trinity has an excellent athletic program and our athletes are some of the best in Canada, with all of our teams having long histories of CIS gold, silver, and bronze. They draw and recruit a number of athletes every year. I, myself, studied Theatre, which is a much smaller program when compared to the size of the university, but just as prestigious. I looked at several schools when considering a degree in Theatre, but ultimately chose TWU because of its prestigious faculty and open classes (i.e. you dont have to audition for an exclusive program to be able to take acting classes). How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Brittany: I had an extremely easy time meeting people and making friends freshman year because I was elected to student government. There are a huge number of community life activities that allow and encourage the development of relationships between students, but you really have to be willing to invest in them to see results. A lot of commuters struggle to feel connected with other students despite commuter hangouts and integration activities. Theres no Greek program at TWU. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Brittany: Because I chose a career thats alternative to the normal system of seeking employment, I didnt really utilize the Career Center, but Ive heard great things! TWU has a huge job fair every year and I know business students have an extremely high rate of employment upon graduation. The Career Center is also really helpful with assisting students in finding employment while they are attending school, and with creating and editing resumes. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Brittany: There are a ton of really great places to study on campus. No matter the environment you thrive in, youll find it represented at TWU. The library and dorms have study rooms for working in groups, or individual, compartmentalized desks for individual work. There are tons of lounges and couches in the atrium if you prefer a more socialized, laid-back environment. Or, you can always just pick a nice shady tree outside to work under. Describe the surrounding town. Brittany: If you like a small town, rural feel, youll be right at home in Langley. If youre more of a city person (like myself), Vancouver is 30-45 minutes away depending on if you drive or transit, and there is certainly no shortage of activities there. From hikes and beaches to museums and nightlife, its really the city for every type of person. While some people would choose to live and attend school in Vancouver, Langley is a lot more quiet and affordable if you prefer not to live in the hustle and bustle. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Brittany: TWU is a pretty small school. Its a private, Christian university with small class sizes and a lot of one-on-one instruction. I was really pleased by the quality of my education and the thought and care that nearly every instructor put into their classes. I feel like the university as a whole is the perfect size to feel connected and invested in, while having enough variety and wealth of varying beliefs and viewpoints to feel challenged and able to grow. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Brittany: My first year was wonderful and incredibly challenging at the same time. I loved my program and student government, and I made a lot of friends; however, I was also struggling with a lot of personal issues that interfered with my education and dorm life. I ended up investing in counseling and therapy with a counselor on campus who negotiated some academic extensions for me. Some professors were hesitant but allowed it based on university policy; however, one professor was incredible. My English teacher, Vic Cavalli, was compassionate and understanding and allowed me not only the extra couple of weeks most professors offered, but rather two months into the summer to complete my assignments. While I barely scraped by in a couple of classes, he allowed me to heal and recover so that I could complete the assignments to my full potential and get the grade that I deserved. I will never forget his kindness. Check out Brittanys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.