Photos Via cestmontreal

Christopher James Dimitriadis

Contributor

As the semester wraps up, I sat down with four Dawson students — Adi Sharoni, 2nd Year

ALC (Cinema Communications); Nawar Masijah, 2nd Year ALC, Languages; Enya Clancy, 2nd

Year ALC, Literature; and Chelsea Crawford, 3rd Year CRLT — to talk about their experience at Dawson

and in their respective fields of study. From publishing novels to founding clubs, my peers

opened up about their growth, regrets, and favourite moments over the past years.

How have you changed since your first semester?

Adi: “I don’t know, I don’t think I’ve changed that much, haha. Maybe my interests have grown,

and I’ve learned more. I also have a job now, so I don’t have as much free time.”

Nawar: “I became a lot more easygoing with classes. In the first semester, I was really trying to

catch up because I found it very interesting. But in the last semester, I started to just take it

lighter.”

Enya: “I’ve changed so much—it’s crazy. I’ve become more independent and confident, made

new friends […] College helped me step out of the bubble I was always trapped in.”

Chelsea: “Since I was transitioning from high school to college, I didn’t know there was going

to be a different flow. But once I finished my first semester, I got used to everything and started

thinking about graduation.”

If you could tell your first-semester self one thing, what would it be?

Adi: “Be smarter about your class choices and join clubs earlier—not just near the end of your

second semester.”

Nawar: “You’re not obliged to come to every class. You can skip classes.”

Enya: “Don’t force things. If people really care about you, they’ll fight too. Also, give

sweatpants and hoodies a shot—they’re life-changing for 8:00 A.M. classes.”

Chelsea: “Go straight to the books and don’t delay.”

What’s your proudest accomplishment from your time at Dawson?

Adi: “Learning a lot of cool skills in the program that I’m proud of—they’ll benefit me in the

future.”

Nawar: “Finalizing the club, The Wordlings.” (Nawar and I co-founded Dawson’s language and

linguistics club.)

Enya: “Publishing my novels. I kept comparing myself to others and thinking I wasn’t good

enough, but I got over it and I’m really happy I did.”

Chelsea: “Receiving a gift from the head of my program for being the first and only student to

get all my assignments done early.”

Has your time in Cégep changed how you see yourself or the world?

Adi: “I got to use my creative side more. Before, being smart was about reading and studying. In

ALC, it’s about creativity, and that changed my mindset on education.”

Nawar: “Not necessarily myself, but it gave me time to think about what I’m going to do.”

Enya: “It widened my horizons and taught me to believe in myself more. I also realized how

many different types of people there are, and how fun it is to learn about different cultures.”

Chelsea: “It gave me a chance to look at myself differently. In high school, I had a certain

image, and in Cégep, I saw a successful, smart, and capable woman.”

What’s your happiest memory from your time here?

Adi: “There’s no specific moment—I genuinely don’t know.”

Nawar: “March break, haha.”

Enya: “Times in my Reflections classes, and especially at the Media Club space. Being Media

Club president introduced me to new people and lots of fun card games.”

Chelsea: “Planning Leadership Camp for the whole program. It’s a 5-day retreat where we learn

about leadership and working with others.”

What’s next?

Adi: “Concordia. I want to move out soon, hopefully.”

Nawar: “University. And maybe after that, working.”

Enya: “I’m done [with] school! I’m taking at least a gap year to work, write, and get my driver’s

license.”

Chelsea: “I’m going to Acadia University in Nova Scotia to study communication

development.”

Do you feel ready for what’s next?

Adi: “Yeah, I think so. I’ve always been someone who’s ready to move on to the next step.”

Nawar: “Yes. Dawson gave me a good masterclass to prepare for university.”

Enya: “I’m already in the workforce, so yes. But I do wish I was more prepared for things in my

domain, since I still don’t know what I’m doing next.”

Chelsea: “Yes—I’ve been waiting for this for a while, and I’m confident I’m ready.”

Describe your Cégep journey in three words.

Adi: “Eventful. Repetitive. Bus.”

Nawar: “The Wordlings. German. Journey.”

Enya: “Busy. Chaotic. Interesting.”

Chelsea: “Eventful/Busy. Fun. Different/Interesting.”