Electives I'm considering taking in my final year at TMU
I moved to Canada just before entering Grade 10 in high school, and like most international students from Asia, I experienced a significant cultural shock as I strove to adapt to my new environment. I didn’t have enough confidence at first to speak a second language and was struggling in group activities and presentations. Additionally, it was difficult for me to make friends in a small town where most of my peers were into hockey and basketball, and I was not. As I gradually settled into the new culture, I looked forward to university, where I would have more opportunities to connect and engage with people who have the same interests as me.
Moving from a rural area to a bustling and diverse environment in Toronto was what I needed. I found the dynamics of university life to be more collaborative, and group work allowed me to understand and experience the importance of communication, leadership and responsibility. As an art enthusiast, my high school art classes focused primarily on personal development, where we worked on our own projects individually. However, in university, this experience became much more enjoyable as group work became integral to the creative process. I met many peers who shared my interests and passions but had different art styles and work dynamics. Working together as a team to achieve a common goal, we learned from each other and enhanced our artistic abilities.
Electives are courses you can take aside from your core courses; they’re meant to let you explore your passion or interests with a wider selection of study fields. Choosing the right electives has been like opening a Pandora's box, filled with exciting possibilities. In my past three years at TMU, I have taken several interesting electives, such as GCM750: 3D Printing and GCM720: Magazine Production and Publishing. As I enter my fourth year, I’m still curious about a few electives I plan to take. If you want to develop creative thinking, improve collaboration skills or make new friends with shared interests, I hope this insight helps you choose your future electives.
1. GCM 722: Book Production and Publishing
If you ask me what my favourite place to relax was when I first started living in Canada, I would say Indigo without a doubt! I love their huge selection of books and all the pretty stationery they have; its delightful atmosphere makes me feel at ease. My passion for books makes me curious to dive deeper into the strategies and technologies used behind modern book design and production. GCM 722: Book Production and Publishing offers the opportunity to choose your favourite literature and design a book for it! It would be an unforgettable experience for book lovers like me, to customize a cover design and learn about all the different elements of that process.
I heard about this course from a friend who showed me a wooden table she handcrafted by the end of the class. Seeing her accomplishment fueled my passion for modelling, designing and building physical objects. In today’s fast-paced environment, most of our assignments are heavily focused on computing skills. That’s why I’m so excited about this course—it offers a perfect mix of software learning and hands-on practice. I can’t wait to create something with my own hands and proudly display it in my room!
3. FCD 817: Live Event Supercourse I & FCD 827: Live Event Supercourse II
The Live Event Supercourse is completed in two semesters. The fall class goes over the logistics, creative process and practical aspects of creating and producing a live event, like a book release, fashion show or product launch. The winter class allows students to put the information to use by taking charge of Mass Exodus, a multi-stakeholder fashion and cultural event put on by TMU students in The Creative School. As someone who loves live events—concerts, music festivals, weekend markets and fashion shows—I have always been fascinated by the theory behind them: how events are brought from concept to completion, creating unforgettable memories for the audience. I believe this course can give me the knowledge and experience I need and can use in the future.
So, there you have it— the three unique electives I am considering taking in my last year! If you are in your freshman year or still halfway to graduation, don't stop there—exploring other electives in different fields can add an extra layer of excitement to your academic journey. Whether it's diving into new subjects or strengthening your existing skills, these creative and interesting electives have the potential to be real highlights in your time at TMU. So go ahead, explore, and make the most of your educational experience!
