Lillian

When I was a child, my self-esteem and self-worth were extremely low and I did not believe that I was intelligent enough to succeed in university. My first attempt at university was right after high school, but my drinking and self-destructive behaviour took control and I quit after 2 months. After years of therapy and successful employment, I decided it was time to pursue my dream of obtaining a university degree. When I reapplied to university 24 years later, I was fearful and uncertain of my acceptance. To my amazement, Western University accepted me…and I was overjoyed!

My childhood was extremely traumatic and school was a safe haven for me. I loved being there. It was a place where I could forget about my troubles and I loved learning new ideas. It was this love of learning and my dream of becoming all that I was meant to be that brought me back to education. Being a single mother, I knew that it was imperative that I be a positive role model for my son.

I am currently in my final semester of a 4-year BA Political Science degree. It is my dream to one day represent my community, Moose Factory, or the First Nations community as a whole, in the legal or educational profession.

The impact that university has had on me has been wonderful in so many ways – from helping me to believe in myself more, to the pure enjoyment of all that I am learning.

I cannot describe the joy and excitement that I feel knowing I will be graduating this year. To know that I was able to do so after so many years, and so many failures, makes it extremely gratifying.