Education

2 SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2023 EDUCATION GUIDE The Access Program is designed to serve a diverse student population. Its emphasis on building foundational skills in reading and writing, math, and the scienc- es helps all those who have experienced systemic barriers to education. Its com- munity-minded spirit creates familiarity on a campus that may feel foreign. Its three Gain Confidence in your Reading and Writing Skills with the Access Program pathway programs offer supports to stu- dents pursuing degrees in the humanities, the sciences, social sciences, and health sciences. Its holistic approach and integra- tion of Indigenous perspectives make it a particularly attractive programming choice for students from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities while being equally wel- coming to newcomer students, students from Northern Manitoba, and students with financial need. For all these students, the Access Pro- gram has created a more personable uni- versity experience that is grounded in nur- turing students' hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits. A cohort-style first-year experience makes it easy for students to connect with peers and form friendships; small classes taught by Access instructors allow stu- dents to build community in the classroom; extensive wellness supports provided by a case worker, personal counsellors, and an Unkan (or Grandfather-in-Residence) help students navigate the complexities of life on and off campus; additional learner sup- ports, such as drop-in study sessions and free tutoring, provide further opportunities for students to engage with their peers and enhance their skills. Make the Access Program your home for post-secondary success at the Universi- ty of Manitoba. For more information go to UMextended.ca/access or call 204- 474- 8000. Apply by May 1 to join the 2024/25 cohort of students. Stephanie Olson Associate Area Director and Reading and Writing Specialist, Access Program UMextended.ca/access D on't go to school. This odd advice is something that you may have read if you have spent just a few minutes on social media. Many high-profile social media influencers – especially social marketers — have begun to flog the idea that education beyond high school is unnecessary. It's a confusing theory considering that social media platforms themselves offer educational certificates meant to prove competence with their platforms. No doubt, the influencers have taken these courses to learn how to glean as much out of the platforms as possible. When faced with broad sweeping ar- guments such as the one just mentioned, it's advice that could be easily ignored by many. However, social media plays a large role in our lives today; it would be a shame to have individuals influenced by poor advice that could negatively affect the futures of many Canadians. Rather than ignoring the claim, it makes sense to strip back the meaning of the word education to its bare roots. The Merriam Webster Dictionary ex- plains education as "the action or pro- cess of being educated…and the knowl- edge and development resulting from the process." Simply put, getting an education is not a mere end goal – it's a process. In the modern world this could mean tran- sitioning out of high school to online social media training to a marketing program at a fine local school and then pivoting entirely to the pursuit of a nurs- ing career. Education has transformed through the years. This process does not have to end when you're 24-years-old. Not everyone can — or should — go down the educational path to become a brain surgeon. And not everyone can — or should — be a social influencer in this world. Part of life in the 21st century is the option of the continual pursuit to renew ourselves. Learning who you are and what you are capable of when you are in your youth is rare. This is why the to avoid additional education is so mis- leading. Education, for most, is an im- portant first step in your life-long jour- ney. It serves as the conduit that allows you to move through where you currently are in life to where you want to be as a hu- man being. Because it's also uncommon to stay in one field — let alone one com- pany — for your entire life, life-long edu- cation is important and necessary. It's easy to forget that knowledge is merely the core benefit of learning. There are so many side benefits at- tained through pursuing new education- al paths. Self-esteem, friendship, and self-realization are key and vital divi- dends discovered along the way. And these are priceless. Knowing the importance that educa- tion plays in the role of supporting Man- itobans, The Free Press has assembled this Education Guide. Our special fea- ture highlights many valuable options you can consider should you wish to start — or continue — along the path to achieving your goals. BY CHARLENE ADAM Education is the conduit to your future Assiniboine Community College https://assiniboine.net Canadian Mennonite University https://www.cmu.ca/programs/programs Providence University College and Theological Seminary https://www.prov.ca Red River College http://www.rrc/interlake/programs/ University of Manitoba https://umanitoba.ca/admissions University of Manitoba Extended Education https://umanitoba.ca/extended-education/ University of Winnipeg https://www.uwinnipeg.ca Université Saint Boniface https://ustboniface.ca/en/programs St. John's-Ravenscourt School https://www.sjr.mb.ca St . Mary's Academy https://smamb.ca Featured Manitoba Schools: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MAJOR COMING FALL 2024

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