Band/hometown: Ochapowace First Nation
Program: Office Administration
Campus: Regina
“It is never too late to learn something new.”
“Nothing worth having comes easy,” says Donna Allary, an Office Administration student at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Regina campus.
As a single mother and full-time student, Donna was determined to overcome the inevitable challenges of balancing parenthood and course work, knowing it will “pay off in the end.”
She often met with an Indigenous advisor, who provided her with encouragement and guidance, and found academic support through learning services when she found herself struggling with a class. She was also awarded a $1,000 bursary, which helped offset some of her academic expenses.
Donna says it’s the people she’s encountered at Sask Polytech who have helped her grow and thrive. They’re “the most welcoming and friendliest people,” she says. “The support system is strong—they set us up to succeed.”
Once she was able to settle into a regular routine, Donna says she was better able to focus on her school work. She sees a future where she continues to confidently juggle life’s competing priorities.
“I imagine myself at an amazing job, working full-time business hours and having a great work-home life balance,” she says.
She advises her peers that challenges will arise, but “it gets better. The end result will be worth all the work you put in.”