News Archives: GPRC recognizes Star Students online
Monday, November 30th, 2020
Robert O’Connor, second year in GPRC’s Visual Arts and Design Diploma program.
GPRC’s President’s Ball is the College’s largest annual fundraising event. With collective donations over the past five years, this event has helped to raise over $480,000 directly impacting our students and their success. One of the most loved aspects of the President’s Ball is recognizing our Star Students.
Star Students are students that stand out and shine for a variety of reasons including being an academic star; an outstanding volunteer involved in the College community; or someone who has shown significant improvement or made outstanding effort during their time here at GPRC. Star Students are nominated by GPRC faculty and staff.
Although, the 2020 GPRC President’s Ball was postponed until it’s safe to all get together again, we are excited to still highlight and recognize 8 incredible students virtually.
Thank you to our community for your valued support and ongoing commitment to our College.
Meet Robert O’Connor.
Robert is a second year in GPRC’s Visual Arts and Design Diploma program. GPRC Communications and Marketing got to virtually meet with Robert and ask a few questions on what it meant to him to be recognized by his instructors as a Star Student.
Check it out.
What does it mean to you to be chosen as a Star Student and recognized for your hard work?
It is a huge honor to be recognized as a hard worker during my time at GPRC. I would like to thank the instructors I have had throughout my time at the College for helping me to move forward in my pursuits in art. I hope everyone who has the pleasure to attend GPRC, gets to feel how I do, surrounded by people who help to nurture talents, and help push us to learn how to use them to help better both our lives, as well as how to explore the issues of the world.
Why did you choose to come to GPRC? What have been some highlights of your academic career so far?
I chose GPRC because I had heard all good things from past students who attended the College. Some highlights of my time here have been the discovery of the mystery novels from my English class, exploring the history of the different artistic periods throughout history, and how they tie to the political events of the time.
What are your future goals after you finish your program at GPRC?
My future goals are to spend a few years working on furthering my artistic pursuits and to continue my education into the arts.
What are you up to when you’re not studying or in class?
When I am not studying or in class, I spend my time outside, taking photos, staying home, and reading mystery novels.
We want to know some of your favourites. Favourite class so far at GPRC? Favourite study snack? Favourite study spot?
My favourite class this semester so far has been my sculpture class as it has pushed my understanding of composition and has provided me new skills, I need to continue my artistic practice. My favourite study snack must be a bowl of fruit, mostly blueberries. My favourite study spot is my room, I get to surround myself with books, art supplies I need more readily, and I can have a nap when I get overwhelmed.
This has been an unprecedented year with the COVID-19 pandemic. How have you adapted to the new learning landscape? What have been some helpful or useful tips you have learned throughout this experience?
I have adapted very poorly to be honest; I struggle with online learning. I work better when I am surrounded by people, I can bounce ideas off and get clarification on subjects. However, I have found recording the lectures on my phone allows me to look back and listen to how the instructor explained it. Most of the time this helps me figure out what they were trying to teach me.
What advice would you give to a fellow student to motivate them in their studies?
The advice I would give to students is to use a daily planner to log when your projects are due and plan when you are going to work on the projects. Make sure to include time for yourself to relax at least once a week, otherwise you will burn out too quick.
Congratulations Robert on being chosen as a 2020 Star Student. We can’t wait to see what you achieve next.
.