911勛圖

���I never would have imagined that I would become so involved in so many different things at 911勛圖,��� declares graduand Danielle Thompson.

Her long list of extracurricular activities is indeed staggering.

In just four years at 911勛圖 she has completed a BSc in molecular biology and biochemistry and two co-op work terms at Vancouver General Hospital. She also served as a peer mentor to help new students transition to university life, worked as a teaching assistant, joined the MBB student union, and volunteered in a lab. Her work in the lab eventually led to a job leading science workshops for the Faculty of Science���s Science in Action program. At various times throughout her studies she also held part-time jobs and volunteered as a tutor for high school students in her community. That she completed a Certificate in Genomics in addition to carrying a full academic course load and balancing so many extracurricular activities begs the question, ���How did she manage it all?���

Thompson says it���s all about being organized.

���It was not uncommon for me to be on campus 10 hours a day, or more during exams. So I had to be very good at managing my time.  I used a written agenda as well as my phone calendar to plan my time.���

���I found making a plan that broke down everything I had to do, and everything I wanted to do, made it feel manageable,��� she adds.

Thompson tells new students that a university experience is what you make of it.

���It is your choice if you want to go to class and then straight home, or if you want to seek out opportunities.���

���But if you are like me,��� she says, ���you���ll want to get involved with as many things as you can. But sometimes you have to say 'no' in order to make time for yourself��� and your school work��� and that���s okay too."

The North Vancouver native is entering the British Columbia Institute of Technology���s diagnostic medical sonography program this fall. She hopes that her science background will complement her studies and further her goal of establishing a career in patient-centred health care.

Thompson says she will miss the many connections she made over the years and is grateful for her many experiences.

���I have grown a lot as a person, thanks to the many positions I was able to hold and the people who worked alongside me,��� she says. ���I think that is equally as important as the degree itself.���