Undergraduate Convocation Profile: Madison Wilson, English

What made you decide to major in English at SFU? 

Unlike many high school students, I was lucky enough to know I wanted to major in English by Grade 10. I always had a love for reading and writing, and I knew I needed to do something that related to those two passions. SFU became my dream school once I discovered I could major in English and minor in publishing—it was the perfect combination of topics I love and find interesting. 

Any favorite courses or instructors? 

Paul Budra will always have a special place in my heart. He was my first English professor, and I liked him so much I made sure I took whatever classes he was teaching. 

Perhaps the best English course I participated in was ENGL 383, which is a special topics course. I got lucky and our special topic turned out to be all about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I didn’t have to feel guilty for binge watching which was great.

What skill would you say has been the most valuable to you as you’ve moved through your academic career? 

I think one of the best skills I’ve learnt over my academic career is persistence and time management. Midterm and exam season can be rough, and it can be pretty easy to give up, but with a persistent attitude and good time management (through calendars/schedules, utilizing lots of sticky notes and so on) you can make it through with good marks and a relatively good sleep schedule.

Most memorable moment during your undergraduate studies? 

The past four years have been full of stressful but wonderful memories. Now that I’ve graduated I find I cling to the more mundane moments: studying with my friends, rushing to complete assignments, and sharing stories with other students. 

What activities or campus clubs did you participate in during your time at SFU that made your experience fun and engaging? 

The FASS Peer Mentorship Program was an incredible experience! I loved getting to know the other mentors, along with connecting to new students. It’s a program I really wish I was aware of earlier in my academic career, but regardless, I’m glad I could participate for a few semesters.

Now that you’ve completed your degree, what is next on your horizon? 

While I’m just working right now, I really hope to get into SFU’s PDP Program to become a high school English teacher. 

What words of wisdom and encouragement would you offer to new undergraduate students in your field? 

Honestly, please make sure you get enough sleep each day. Your body with thank you, your mind will thank you, and your friends and family will thank you. No one can focus when they’re grumpy and tired, and you’re not super fun to be around when you feel like that either.