The New Class is a web series which follows a group of new students as they experience Memorial University’s St. John’s campus throughout the 2016-17 academic year.
The series offers an insider’s view into the opportunities and challenges new students face during their first year on campus, and features 10 students from across the province and around the world.
Meet Alaina Joe
Alaina Joe is 18 years old, and comes to St. John’s from Conne River, N.L. Alaina is in her first year of studies at Memorial and is taking science courses in the hope of pursuing a bachelor of pharmacy. Alaina lives in an apartment off campus with her cousin and a friend. She was Miss Teen Newfoundland and Labrador in 2015 and has travelled the province to volunteer and support local charities and events.
The Gazette caught up with Alaina to get to know her a little better.
What are you enjoying most about university life?
I come from a small town, so there weren’t as many extra-curricular options offered at my school as there are at Memorial. Also, the opportunity for social interaction is that much greater here which, in turn, makes my learning experience more fun.
What do you find most challenging about university life?
Time management is challenging. I need to come up with more systematic ways to better manage my time when it comes to writing exams. That is definitely the most challenging thing for me at the moment.
How is life in St. John’s different from what you’re used to?
I come from a town with a population of approximately 1,000 people. I went to an all-grade school (pre-kindergarten to Grade 12) which has 186 students. I was very fortunate and grew up frequently coming to the city, so moving to the city wasn’t that big of an adjustment for me. However, the size of Memorial was definitely a little bit of a shock. Not seeing the same people I have grown up with every single day is something that I am still getting used to.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I’m usually at the library. I have a heavy course load, so I try my best to stay on top of it. I’m also a volunteer research assistant at a lab in the Faculty of Medicine here at Memorial.
About a week ago, I joined Enactus as well. Also, before classes started, I accepted a position on the Miss Teen Newfoundland and Labrador pageant committee. Being on the committee, and as a former Miss Teen N.L., I still actively volunteer with many organizations that Miss Teen N.L. works with. Just recently, I spent the day volunteering with the Children’s Wish Foundation. I also play volleyball with the St. John’s Native Friendship Centre.
On top of all of that, I try to maintain a healthy social life by spending time with my friends. We’ll go to movies together, or even work on homework.
What are you hoping to accomplish at Memorial?
At Memorial, I’m hoping to get an undergraduate degree which will hopefully lead to my acceptance into the Faculty of Medicine here at Memorial.
Watch the latest webisodes of The New Class on our YouTube channel at memorialuniversity.
