Author Archives: nicoledalessandro

Learning How to Land

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There is something compelling me to write at the moment. I haven’t quite figured out what it is, but I simply feel like there is a story inside of me that needs to be told. I certainly do not feel this way because I believe that my thoughts are particularly important or that people need to read them. More than anything, I feel as though going through the process of telling my story is just another part of the story itself.

I am currently sitting in a coffee shop in downtown Toronto. I have spent every afternoon here after school for the past week. I spend my time here staring at my computer and typing without paying much attention to the words appearing on the screen. I have my headphones in and the same playlist of songs playing on repeat. As I let the words hit me, I find myself alternating between holding back tears and resisting the urge to walk outside and sprint down the street as fast as I possibly can.

In describing this scene, I realize that my behaviour may sound irrational or that I may appear to be rambling about nothing at all. Normally this would bother me, but I am going to go ahead and say that this is all just part of the story.

Over the past few weeks, I have felt incredibly and completely overwhelmed. However, in some strange way, I have also never been more aware of the things that are important to me. I may not know exactly what this means, but at this particular moment, I am open to trying to figure it out. I am also open to feeling without question and maybe even losing myself for a little while in the process. Regardless of why I am feeling this way, I am very aware of the fact that I need to allow myself to fully explore and experience my emotions, even when they are frustrating, uncomfortable, or heartbreaking.

It is very easy to run away from how we are feeling, but there is something to be said about allowing yourself to be completely overwhelmed in any given moment. As much as this can hurt, it is also a reminder that we are human. It is easy to be angry and it is easy to be scared when the world seems to be moving backwards, but I believe that true strength can be found by acknowledging that sometimes we need to crash so that we can eventually learn how to land.

By allowing myself to completely feel the way that I am feeling right now, I am beginning to realize that I cannot control the world around me. However, I can choose to focus on the things that make me happy and bring meaning into my life. I can also do my best to remember that life truly is about people. This means appreciating those who make each day brighter for others and challenge those around them to be better than they were the day before. It also means challenging myself to do the same.

As I alluded to earlier, there is something cathartic about narrating my experiences and allowing my thoughts to mean something. I know that learning how to land is not an easy process, but all I can do is take the time to try.

A Message of Support

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I typically do not consider myself much of a writer, nor do I usually feel comfortable sharing my thoughts online. However, after a few conversations with some people who I really care about, I was inspired to give this a try…

I have done my best to remove myself from issues related to the USC this year for many reasons, but primarily because I left my position knowing that both the USC and the Student Events Portfolio were in great hands. While my opinion has not changed in the slightest, I also feel an obligation to show my support for these individuals, the work that they do, their desire to support and encourage student engagement, and the tough criticism that they are faced with each day.

On the note of tough criticism, it seems as though a year cannot go by without an uproar from the soph community. This has come in many forms and in response to many issues throughout the years. In many cases, these uproars can spark incredible discussions and constructive change within the Orientation Program. However, lately, my Facebook and Twitter feeds have been cluttered with significantly more selfish and hurtful comments than constructive criticism and debate.

As for the current issue on the table, I will avoid detailing all of my thoughts. However, I will say that I strongly believe in the current soph selection process. While some current commentary would suggest that I have no right to an opinion on the issue since I was never a soph myself, I believe the USC, OGB, and OPC should be applauded for working so hard to ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to contribute to the Orientation Program in a meaningful way. These changes mean the world to individuals who have previously felt isolated by the soph selection process. This is not to say that everyone who is currently a soph should not have been selected or that the work of previous sophs should be invalidated. Rather, this is to say that OGB and OPC have the right to determine the goals of the Orientation Program and select volunteers according to a specific set of criteria.

Despite my personal opinions, I am certainly not writing this because I expect everyone to agree with me or because I believe that there is only one way to look at this particular issue. I am writing this because it appears that many people have forgotten how to have constructive discussions that are focussed on issues rather than instigating hate-filled conversations aimed directly at individuals.

Here is what I have to say to these people: The people who are making the decisions that you dislike are not doing so to be malicious or to create any less of a positive experience for the incoming class of first-year students. They are doing so with the same desire that you have to create an inclusive, welcoming, and positive experience for every first-year student at Western. If you disagree with the decisions being made, that is perfectly fine. In fact, I would encourage you to consider areas of improvement and bring your ideas forward. But stop posting hurtful memes, creating parody twitter accounts, and hiding behind anonymous names in the comment sections of online articles. Unless something has drastically changed from my time in London, Western is a university that cares, encourages the expression of diverse opinions, and strives to create a community in which all students and staff have the right to feel comfortable.

As many people close to me know, I left the USC in pretty rough shape last year. This was primarily because of the way that I was treated by so many individuals who claimed that they were leaders in the Western community and role models to other students. I have since filed away many of the hateful emails that I received telling me that I was incompetent and destroying the first-year student experience. I have also saved many copies of The Gazette Report Card (in which I received a D+) to hang on the walls of my future classrooms as a reminder of how important it is to stand up for what you believe in and also as a reminder that words are powerful and have the ability to hurt people. While I would not trade my USC experience for anything, it was a powerful reminder of the importance of constructive discussion, debate, and a willingness to move forward despite differences in opinion.

To everyone working so hard to ensure that the student experience at Western is inclusive of all students, know that I am sending you all my love and support. The world needs more people like you.