Academic Plan
Academic Plan ¿¿ Kyle Brady
6253890
1. Course of Study
I will return to studies and gradually complete the remaining undergraduate courses for my Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree, targeting an A in each one. By balancing elective courses with the Economics program curriculum, I can steadily progress towards completion of my graduation requirements. My SOLUS planner has been updated with courses that I hope to take at certain times.
Initially, all courses will be taken via distance learning in order to transition into the academic environment and demonstrate mastery of the work required. As my GPA rises, I will look to enroll in my economics program requirements, other advanced classes, and courses taught via lecture or with an in-person component.
While the steps leading to graduation are inflexible, I am open to changes in my proposed course selection subject to availability, professor and advisor feedback, and ultimately performance in each section. As a method to reinforce learning as well as raise my cumulative GPA, re-taking previously-attempted courses will be considered as an option in future terms.
I have had several conversations with, and feedback has been incorporated from, Jennine Ball (Economics Undergraduate Advisor) and Lori Kilminster (Arts and Science Academic Counsellor).
2. Full-time vs. Part-time Status
Beginning in Summer 2017, I will enroll in a limited number of courses, restricting myself to a limited number of courses per term to ensure that each course can receive the necessary level of attention and care.
I will be maintaining a full-time job while completing these courses, and accordingly, will strictly manage my schedule to ensure both responsibilities receive the required attention. Fortunately, both TD and Queen's have grown to offer reasonably flexible work and study arrangements. At TD, opportunities might include working four-day weeks, working remotely on days I visit Kingston, or taking some time in leave to attend school. For Queen's, some exams can be taken in Toronto, online course components can replace in-person lectures, and Kingston is only a two hour trip away if anything were to arise.
3. Strategies for Success
When I previously attended Queen's, I am ashamed to say that I did so begrudgingly, because I felt as though courses were not as important as my other commitments.
Despite repeated half-hearted attempts throughout that period to determine and rectify the source of that mindset, the only way that my opinion was ultimately changed was through spending these past three years apart.
While working and launching a career is what drew me away from school to begin with, continued professional growth remains my top priority. Graduating from Queen's with a degree in Economics and finishing what I started seven years ago is the best way to accomplish those aims.
In addition to this substantial shift in opinion, many other factors will also support me as I return to studies, including:
- My work schedule has stabilized, and I am now working a full-time office job in downtown Toronto, as opposed to commuting via bus all over Kingston to different branches.
- Despite Toronto's reputation for cost and bustle, I am now living in a spacious apartment in a quiet area, whereas previously I lived in a small house shared by 4 people.
- My partner of four years has been supportive of me even during my departure from Queen's. Since then, she has received her Queen's undergraduate and master's degrees, and has always encouraged me to eventually return and complete my program.
- My business and financial experience with TD spans retail banking to risk management, and will be a valuable source of information and real-world experience that I can draw on to succeed in my classes and share with other students.
- I have experience taking other courses and managing competing commitments in these intervening years, as demonstrated by serving with the Board of Mainstay Housing in Toronto and graduating the online Health Governors Foundation Series offered by HealthCareCAN.
While I am sure that my plan may suffer unforeseen setbacks, it is adaptable, robust, and pointed in the right direction. I am also aware of the high marks that will be required to stay abreast of the return-to-studies academic probation requirements, and I will not fall afoul of them again.
Kyle
6253890
1. Course of Study
I will return to studies and gradually complete the remaining undergraduate courses for my Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree, targeting an A in each one. By balancing elective courses with the Economics program curriculum, I can steadily progress towards completion of my graduation requirements. My SOLUS planner has been updated with courses that I hope to take at certain times.
Initially, all courses will be taken via distance learning in order to transition into the academic environment and demonstrate mastery of the work required. As my GPA rises, I will look to enroll in my economics program requirements, other advanced classes, and courses taught via lecture or with an in-person component.
While the steps leading to graduation are inflexible, I am open to changes in my proposed course selection subject to availability, professor and advisor feedback, and ultimately performance in each section. As a method to reinforce learning as well as raise my cumulative GPA, re-taking previously-attempted courses will be considered as an option in future terms.
I have had several conversations with, and feedback has been incorporated from, Jennine Ball (Economics Undergraduate Advisor) and Lori Kilminster (Arts and Science Academic Counsellor).
2. Full-time vs. Part-time Status
Beginning in Summer 2017, I will enroll in a limited number of courses, restricting myself to a limited number of courses per term to ensure that each course can receive the necessary level of attention and care.
I will be maintaining a full-time job while completing these courses, and accordingly, will strictly manage my schedule to ensure both responsibilities receive the required attention. Fortunately, both TD and Queen's have grown to offer reasonably flexible work and study arrangements. At TD, opportunities might include working four-day weeks, working remotely on days I visit Kingston, or taking some time in leave to attend school. For Queen's, some exams can be taken in Toronto, online course components can replace in-person lectures, and Kingston is only a two hour trip away if anything were to arise.
3. Strategies for Success
When I previously attended Queen's, I am ashamed to say that I did so begrudgingly, because I felt as though courses were not as important as my other commitments.
Despite repeated half-hearted attempts throughout that period to determine and rectify the source of that mindset, the only way that my opinion was ultimately changed was through spending these past three years apart.
While working and launching a career is what drew me away from school to begin with, continued professional growth remains my top priority. Graduating from Queen's with a degree in Economics and finishing what I started seven years ago is the best way to accomplish those aims.
In addition to this substantial shift in opinion, many other factors will also support me as I return to studies, including:
- My work schedule has stabilized, and I am now working a full-time office job in downtown Toronto, as opposed to commuting via bus all over Kingston to different branches.
- Despite Toronto's reputation for cost and bustle, I am now living in a spacious apartment in a quiet area, whereas previously I lived in a small house shared by 4 people.
- My partner of four years has been supportive of me even during my departure from Queen's. Since then, she has received her Queen's undergraduate and master's degrees, and has always encouraged me to eventually return and complete my program.
- My business and financial experience with TD spans retail banking to risk management, and will be a valuable source of information and real-world experience that I can draw on to succeed in my classes and share with other students.
- I have experience taking other courses and managing competing commitments in these intervening years, as demonstrated by serving with the Board of Mainstay Housing in Toronto and graduating the online Health Governors Foundation Series offered by HealthCareCAN.
While I am sure that my plan may suffer unforeseen setbacks, it is adaptable, robust, and pointed in the right direction. I am also aware of the high marks that will be required to stay abreast of the return-to-studies academic probation requirements, and I will not fall afoul of them again.
Kyle