When I first arrived at Bishop’s, stepping onto campus for the first time, it felt like I was entering a whole new world; not just the university, but Sherbrooke itself was unfamiliar to me. Everything about this place was a fresh experience. This is my story of why I choose Bishop’s University.
Starting Slow, Dreaming Big
It was the start of the 2023 Fall semester. At first, I had to start as a part-time student because of some complications, but I officially joined the Computer Science program the following semester.
Still, despite that small delay, I was excited. This was something I had been waiting for, a new chapter in my life, one that felt overdue. The shift from college to university is something people always talk about like it’s this big, life-changing moment, and now that it was finally happening for me, I was eager to see where it would take me.
Why Bishop’s Wasn’t My First Choice
If I’m being completely honest, Bishop’s wasn’t part of my original plan. When I first thought about university, my mind was set on staying in Montreal. That was home. It’s what I was used to. The idea of moving away, even if it was just an hour and a half away, didn’t sit right with me at first. It wasn’t about the distance itself, I knew I could always visit home, but I had never been away for long periods, and that change felt bigger than I was ready for.
So, instead of stressing over the move, I told myself to take it as a challenge, and instead of worrying about what I’d be leaving behind, I decided to focus on what I could gain.
Small Gains: Comparing My Options
By the end of summer 2023, I was still weighing my options. Should I accept my Bishop’s offer of admission, or should I just stay in Montreal and go with another university? I started doing what most people do in situations like this: I went into full-on research mode.
Looking up Bishop’s online, scrolling through pictures to get a feel for the campus. I checked out stats comparing Bishop’s to McGill and Concordia. I wanted to break things down logically, so I could weigh the pros and cons of each option. And the more I compared, the more something stood out to me; Bishop’s was small.
Everything about it was smaller. The student population, the class sizes, even the number of programs. At first, that felt like a drawback. McGill and Concordia had a much larger scale, while Bishop’s felt more connected and personal. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this might actually be a good thing.
Why Small Turned Out to Be Better
One of my biggest concerns about university was how I’d adapt with schoolwork. I knew that in a place like McGill or Concordia, the sheer number of students in each class would make it harder to get one-on-one help from professors. At Bishop’s, the smaller student population meant smaller classes, which meant more access to professors. When I had questions, I could actually get answers instead of getting lost in a sea of raised hands.
Then, there was the commuting factor. If I had chosen a university in Montreal, I wouldn’t have been able to drive there easily. I would’ve had to rely on public transportation, which I hadn’t really used since I was a kid. The idea of taking the metro every day wasn’t appealing, especially when I knew how unreliable it could be. At Bishop’s, I had the freedom of using my car. I had my own space, my own routine. That independence made a difference.
Escaping Distractions
When deciding on a university, I realized that my choice wasn’t just about academics, it was about my environment. One of the biggest reasons I chose Bishop’s had nothing to do with the university itself but because I wanted a fresh start, away from the familiar social habits.
In Montreal, I had a lot of friends. And while that might sound great, it also meant endless distractions. I knew I’d end up caught in plans and meetups nonstop if I stayed in Montreal—random hangouts, parties, late nights, all of it. University requires focus, and I didn’t trust myself to stay disciplined with all those familiar distractions around me.
At Bishop’s, things were different because I barely knew anyone. I knew I would make new friends, but the kind of social life I’d have there wouldn’t be the same. Instead of being surrounded by people who pulled me into spontaneous plans, I’d be around students who prioritized their studies. Hanging out would mean study groups, library sessions, and school events. There were still fun activities and meetups, but they were more balanced and didn’t take over my schedule the way they might have in Montreal. I saw it as an opportunity to focus, to take my education seriously without constantly being sidetracked.
Why I choose Bishop’s University
In the end, it all came down to one decision: comfort or change. Staying in Montreal would have been the safe option. It was familiar, predictable. Still, something about choosing Bishop’s felt like the right move.
So, I took the leap.
I packed up, left behind the city I had known all my life, and found myself in Sherbrooke, surrounded by new faces, a new environment, and a completely different experience than what I had originally planned.
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Sometimes, the best things in life come from the choices we never expected to make.
