“Scared…terrified…afraid of failing,” that’s how Justyne Leslie says she felt about starting university. But the first-year arts and social sciences student, who was an academic and student leader in high school, needn’t have worried – Dalhousie has proven to be a perfect fit.

“I thought the transition to university life might be difficult, instead I feel like I’m at home,” she says. “I’m amazed by the great sense of community on campus and how well I fit in. I’m making friends at residence; in fact, I met my best friend there.”

Justyne set herself apart by being the first person in her family to attend university.

“It’s a really big deal that I’m going to Dalhousie, especially for my mom who raised me on her own,” she explains. “But it was also a challenge because I had a lot of questions about school that no one in my family could answer.” Luckily, Justyne’s boyfriend of three years, David, a third-year student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, stepped in to act as her mentor. “David has really helped me get to know the campus and learn how to function within the university,” she says. “He’s eased my stress a lot.”

Future goals

Along with settling into university life, she’s also discovered new academic interests. “I’m really enjoying my sociology and anthropology course,” she says. “I find the study of people and culture intriguing. But I want to keep my options open before deciding on a major.” With a GPA over 3.5 after first term, Justyne should have plenty of opportunities.

She’s hoping those will include the chance to go to law school. “I truly believe that my purpose in life is to help people,” she says. “I would like to practice criminal law and give back to my community.”

Receiving the Forsyth Family Nova Scotia Undergraduate Scholarship has been a life altering experience for Justyne. “It never occurred to me that would be where I am,” she says.

“The scholarship has completely changed me as a person. I would never have thought about aiming so high without it, and there’s no way I could get to where I’m going without it.”