From navigating an entirely digital academic year to planning out their next adventure in uncharted waters, the 2020/2021 academic year presented novel challenges for St. Mike’s newest alumni.
While all 817 St. Mike’s graduands who will take the virtual walk across the convocation stage tomorrow at noon have had unique USMC journeys, there is one overwhelming sentiment they all agree on: the St. Michael’s community is like no other. “They are definitely some of the best people I have met,” says graduand Natalie Barbuzzi, who studied Environmental and Human Geography.
Sitting down with the St. Mike’s class of 2021, it’s clear what made their time at USMC special was the community. Chiara Perry, Social Science student, says “Regardless of the day I had, as soon as I walked into the Coop there would always be smiling faces greeting me, and how can you not be happy surrounded by your friends?”
Many graduands feel an important thread binding the community together was their appreciation for holistic education. Victoria Lunetta, who studied Political Science and served as chapter president for the Nyantende Foundation, learned her degree is only part of her story: “as I’ve learned from an amazing four years at the U of T… academic pursuits only make up a small part of who I am and who I hope to be.”
As lockdown kept St. Mike’s graduands apart, Adam Da Costa Gomes, Neuroscience and Pharmacology student, challenged what it meant to be a community. He found a change of perspective helped him re-imagine what it meant to find community at a distance.
“I have a strong dislike for the term ‘social distancing’ because that’s not what it is. It’s physical distancing,” Da Costa Gomes explains. “I found by reframing that in my mind, I’ve learned that I’m not socially isolated, and you don’t have to be either.”
Despite the pandemic, Chiara Greco, Editor-in-Chief of The Mike, saw St. Michael’s students’ passion for creating community grow even stronger. Greco recounts the paper’s 2021 team as the largest ever.
“I’ve been super impressed this year by how many student groups continued to push through and create communities for SMC students despite the pandemic,” Greco says. “The fact that people were still interested in getting involved despite the pandemic really emphasized for me how important student life is to the SMC community.”
Knowing the struggles of finding community, especially after spending a year online, St. Mike’s graduands have some sage words of advice for incoming students.
“Start small, but start somewhere! Join a club that you’re interested in, join a cultural association you resonate with, just make sure you start somewhere!” says Da Costa Gomes.
Sam Gruppuso, Criminology and Sociology student, agrees. “I think if you are new to SMC and trying to find your place, you should try and get involved in as many things as you can and see what feels right to you and stick with it.”
On navigating the academic landscape, Joy Fan, a Public Policy student, reminds students to reflect and go at their own pace. “Re-evaluate your priorities and why you’re overworking yourself,” Fan suggests. “Consider taking a slower pace to university – there’s no need to rush to graduate!”
Reflecting on her own university journey, Sana Moshin recounts a piece of advice she received: “Someone in my first year told me that these would be the best few years of my life, and this certainly held true for the memories that I made in my dorm.”
Even though Book and Media Studies student Taylor Medeiros will continue her work creating community with St. Michael’s alumni after graduation, she knows it won’t be the same. “I think that the SMC community is filled with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, and I’ll [miss] being able to talk to them every day.”
Greco has one parting message for her fellow grads after reflecting on the distance, burnout, and challenges the Class of 2021 overcame to ensure the community flourished in their final year: “I think what’s important is taking a step back to allow yourself to be proud of everything you’ve accomplished this year.”