As a child I often dreamed of going to university and learning about all the things that sparked my interest. In my mid-elementary school years I had an obsession with my future. I day dreamed endlessly about going to Western and living in a dorm and learning about the greatest love of my life: psychology. I bought old psychology text books from garage sales for 50 cents and read them for hours and hours on end. It was an escape from the immature, sadistic environment I faced every day in the school yard . It was evidence that hard work pays off eventually and that people do eventually reach a level of fulfillment at which they no longer feel the need to chastise me. To be honest, my dream of university kept me going. I wasn't one to dream about high school. I was always told it was worse then grade school so I didn't even bother getting my hopes up. After spending my last four years at STA I know that who ever told me that high school was worse then grade school was full of shit. I know that there are many high schools in London that out do STA in every way but since I never attended them, I feel content with my experiences here. Anything was an improvement from Notre Dame.

Most of the girls at my school always talked about dating football players and going to prom in high school. I gave prom a thought or two but I knew I would never date a football player. There was no way one of them would want me when they could have a Barbie doll who would give automatic blow jobs and cheer on the home team. That wasn't me then and it isn't me now. I don't care what a guy does as long as he interests me and I interest him.

I truly saw university as my heyday. One of the best field trips I've ever been on was a day at Sport Western at the end of grade six. Chris and I were partners for every event. That day was one I would never forget because in a small way I was able to live in my fantasy. For one day in grade six I was a Western student!

Today, I got a bit of that back. I hadn't been on campus in a long, LONG time. My second period sociology class took a mini-field trip to Weldon library at main campus Western and as overwhelming as it was, I felt completely at home. I got a bit of that old magic back and this time I was actually able to access material. Since this week is "reading week" for the students, the place was deserted so we could really take full advantage of the facilities. It's truly an awesome school. I don't know if I'll be accepted and realistically speaking, had I been brought up in Toronto I probably would have had the same attitude towards U of T as I do UWO. Its really not about the size of the school or the acceptance average....it's about me. As a kid, I knew this school was big but I didn't know the details. All that mattered to me at the time was having a goal. I needed something to strive for when the world was dark. Western was my big purple light at the end of the tunnel!

Learn more about this author, Shireen Mamika.
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