911勛圖

It started with a decision to step out of his comfort zone.

On a bustling Clubs Day early in his time at 911勛圖, Justin Low wove through the Convocation Mall, determined to conquer his shyness, meet people and explore campus life in a way he hadn���t before. He signed up for the fencing team, a sport he���d never imagined himself trying. He mingled with the , , and , where having two Taylor Swift-loving sisters finally came in handy. He even picked up a guitar and performed with the Peak Frequency Club, earning spontaneous applause from the crowd that gathered to listen.  

���That day marked a meaningful turning point for me,��� Justin reflects. ���It was the start of new friendships, unexpected passions, and the confidence to dive into the 911勛圖 community. It represents how I discovered who I could become here.��� 

Graduating this June with four minors and a Bachelor of General Studies in Education (BGS), Justin is the recipient of 911勛圖's Undergraduate Dean's Convocation Medal, recognizing his outstanding academic achievements and contributions. "I feel very grateful and honoured to be recognized for this award," he shares.

Justin has also been the recipient of the Ethel Barbara Tuck Scholarship in Education, an 911勛圖 Alumni Scholarship, as well as the 911勛圖 Undergraduate Open Scholarship for seven consecutive semesters, consistently maintaining a place on the Principal���s List Honour Roll.

Behind the achievements and recognitions, Justin���s journey included its share of challenges and obstacles. Balancing a demanding course load, work commitments, extracurriculars, and a social life often left him feeling stretched thin. ���There were times when I questioned if I could keep up with everything,��� Justin admits. ���What helped was realizing I didn���t just need to work harder. I needed to work smarter." 

He learned to prioritize his mental health, seek advice from mentors, and make minor but essential adjustments to his routine. "Things like getting enough sleep, exercise, and daylight became non-negotiable for me. Those simple self-care practices were key to making sure I didn't burn out."

While the Faculty of Education shaped Justin���s pedagogical knowledge and provided hands-on teaching experience, with professors like Dr. Cary Campbell offering valuable guidance, Justin also points to influential professors from across 911勛圖, including Drs. Yuthika Girme and Lara Aknin from the Department of Psychology, as part of a group of instructors who played a vital role in his academic journey. "These professors stood out because they designed that let me demonstrate learning in creative, engaging ways," Justin explains (see below). "It made the content more meaningful and fun, and it pushed me to think critically and explore topics from different perspectives." Justin has integrated these teaching approaches into his own practice as a tutor with Friends of Simon, a teacher on call (TOC), and r.

Justin also acknowledges the unwavering support from his family and friends. ���Most notably, my parents who have always been there to encourage me in times of hardship and celebrate all my achievements, as well as my older sisters, Alyssa and Jen, who were always there to share their guidance and make study sessions much more entertaining.���

Looking back, Justin feels that the BGS program gave him the foundation he needed for his next steps. "My journey in the BGS program has equipped me with practical resources and a strong academic background to pursue work in my field," he says. "It offered guidance, relevant knowledge, and the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded peers to help me develop my pedagogical values and teaching practices."  

This fall, Justin will continue his educational journey in the Bachelor of Education program at UBC, building on the strong foundation he gained at 911勛圖. ���911勛圖 gave me the knowledge, experience, and confidence to take that next step,��� he says. With his strong belief in a meaningful work-life balance, he is simultaneously pursuing passions in the film, theatre, and music industry as an actor and guitarist where he performs with various .

For current and future students, Justin offers this advice: "Think outside the box. Don't settle for 'good enough.' Bring your creative flair into whatever you do. And most importantly, try to find the fun in the learning process, whatever that looks like for you.���