Born and raised in Sudbury, Katie has felt connected to Laurentian from a young age. “I grew up at Laurentian,” she shares. “For years I have been attending community sports events like track meets and volleyball games on campus. With my sisters also having attended Laurentian, I spent a lot of time on campus visiting them. When it came time to choose a university, Laurentian felt like the natural choice, allowing me to stay close to family, go to a school that feels like home, and take the program that’s the best fit for me.”
Katie is taking the Concurrent Education program, majoring in English Literature, Media and Writing. After hearing positive feedback from others who completed Laurentian’s Concurrent Education program, she was drawn in by their experiences. “Everyone I know who took ConEd said that the professors are amazing, the small classes are ideal, and they learned a lot of valuable skills for teaching in particular.”
Katie expresses a deep connection to her programs. She says that writing has always been a creative outlet for her and she looks forward to sharing her love of reading and writing with her future students. “In high school I took courses outside of the mandatory ones to strengthen my writing abilities. I knew I wanted to pursue English in my career and that if I were to pursue teaching, English would be my focus.”
She was further inspired to pursue teaching by those who supported her when experiencing anxiety as a student. “I want to be the teacher who makes a difference. As an anxious kid growing up, school was a scary thing for me. I want to be the teacher who creates a safe environment and is a safe person for those kids. I had teachers who impacted me deeply and I hope to pass on their kindness and make a meaningful difference in the life of a student in the next generation.”
A graduate of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, Katie says many of her friends will also be going to Laurentian. “I know quite a few students who attended my high school who have also chosen Laurentian, going into other programs like nursing and biochemistry. I even have a couple of friends who are entering ConEd with me. I’m grateful to be able to share this new experience with my long-time friends.”
Katie describes her experience with registration as very positive. “Everyone at Laurentian has been very kind and helpful,” she shares. “The advisors are quick and thorough in answering questions and have really helped to reduce my stress surrounding the processes of signing up and getting prepared. When I needed guidance on choosing courses, I met with incredibly helpful staff and felt so well-supported as they walked me through the process.”
Overall, Katie says she’s really looking forward to the experience of being a student at Laurentian. She adds, “I’m very excited for the year to begin. Especially with the help I’ve received from Laurentian staff, I’m not afraid or stressed to start university. I know the transition can be challenging, but I’m feeling ready!”
With excitement and confidence, Katie Taylor is soon to start at Laurentian, surrounded by familiar faces and supported by a welcoming community. She will be joined by a diverse cohort of students at Laurentian as the academic semester begins with the first day of classes on September 4, 2024.