News Archives: GPRC recognizes Star Students online
Monday, November 30th, 2020
Shae Ehrhardt, second year in GPRC's Animal Health Technology 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 Shae Ehrhardt.
Shae is a second year in GPRC’s Animal Health Technology program. GPRC Communications and Marketing got to virtually meet with Shae and ask a few questions on what it meant to her to be recognized by her 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?
I feel completely honored and shocked to be chosen as Star Student. It’s been a stressful time having to transition to an entirely different aspect of learning, so I appreciate being acknowledged for transitioning and processing these changes, and that the effort that I put into my schoolwork is recognized.
Why did you choose to come to GPRC? What have been some highlights of your academic career so far?
I chose GPRC after doing a lot of research into different Animal Health Technology (AHT) programs. I felt like it matched everything that I was looking for, had the best reviews and the practicum students that I met really solidified my decision. Some highlights from my academic career have been accomplishing tasks I would have been too nervous to try previously, such as handling sheep or helping with calving, and becoming more comfortable in my skills. My instructors have been amazing in how patient and supportive they are with each of us individually.
What are your future goals after you finish your program at GPRC?
My future goals are to work in an emergency hospital, to be able to advance my skill set and become specialized in emergency and critical care. I want to delve more into exotic medicine, husbandry and emergency care, and help to improve standards of care of these animals within an emergency hospital setting.
What are you up to when you’re not studying or in class?
Generally, I’m relaxing with my roommate/best friend, cooking an assortment of meals (or desserts), playing some video games, or catching up on sleep.
We want to know some of your favourites. Favourite class so far at GPRC? Favourite study snack? Favourite study spot?
I don’t have a favourite class so far. I enjoyed learning about anatomy and have had fun outside of my comfort zone in our large animal labs. I really enjoy the more hands-on practices we have been doing this year in our labs to be able to work on our practical skills. As for favourite study snack, it would probably be crackers and cheese because it’s a snack I don’t have to think about putting extra effort or time into and my favourite study spot is my bed.
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?
It has been difficult and stressful adapting to the new learning landscape, especially because our program relies on being hands-on. I have found it a lot more difficult to stay focused while doing online lectures. It was beneficial last semester when our instructors were able to record their lectures so that if you missed something or your internet cut out, or you simply just didn’t understand what was going on, you would be able to review the lecture on your own time. What I have found works well for me is to write my notes before the lecture and then add side notes during the lecture. I also hand write my notes, type them and then make a Quizlet to be able to solidify everything that we learn.
What advice would you give to a fellow student to motivate them in their studies?
Get whatever you can done as soon as you can instead of putting it off. Find whatever method of studying works best for you and stick with it. Know that it’s a heavy academic course, with a lot of theory, but also, that if you don’t understand something immediately most times, you’ll go over it again in another course. Everything ties in together in first and second year. Remember to have fun and take care of your wellbeing first and foremost.
Congratulations Shae on being chosen as a 2020 Star Student. We can’t wait to see what you achieve next.
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