Courtsey of Kaitlyn Fralick
Kaitlyn (Katie) Fralick is a fourth-year student in the BA English program with a minor in News Studies. She is an avid reader of Her Campus Ryerson. In her spare time, when she finally gets away from her ‘too many’ courses and ‘too many’ jobs, she enjoys playing video games, eating pizza, and drinking wine. She also has a weird obsession with emojis & memes– she can carry an entire conversation using just those with her closest friends.
- Name: Katie Fralick
- Program: English
- Year: 4th
- Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario
What’s your favourite aspect of Ryerson’s English program?
My favourite aspect of Ryerson’s English program is how many opportunities it has provided me with. Not only through the diverse courses I’ve had the privilege of taking (like studying TV shows in ENG888 or studying nineteenth-century lit in ENG632), but also through the extracurricular and work opportunities I’ve been involved with.
What was your favourite course you’ve taken at Ryerson?
My favourite course has definitely been my senior seminar (ENG910). I took the course with Professor Henstra and our topic was “Literary Monsters.” Being able to learn from my peers and present my own research findings to the class was an incredible experience.
What advice would you give your first year self?
I would tell myself to just take things one day at a time. When I started at Ryerson there were a lot of changes going on in my life. The entire time I was so focused on my end goals that I wasn’t allowing myself to just be in the moment and adjust to everything. While I still think that it’s important to know why you are pursuing your degree, I wish I would have let myself see where that first year would take me, as once I started doing this I was able to really solidify what my interests and future career goals were.
As President of the English Course Union, what is one tip you would give to English students who are looking to make the most out of their English experience at Ryerson?
One tip I would give to English students is to get involved outside of the classroom. It is so easy to get obsessed with your readings and coursework, but do you really want to look back on your undergraduate experience and only be able to remember all the nights you stayed up studying? There are so many opportunities available to students (whether it be social, volunteer, or work) that really add to your overall experience and make it more enjoyable.
You’re graduating this year (very exciting), do you have any plans post-graduation?
Yes! This autumn I will be moving to British Columbia to do my MA in English Literature at the University of Victoria.
Academically speaking, where do your research interests lie?
My research interests incorporate Victorian literature and digital humanities. Over the past couple years I have really been able to focus on these through my research position at Ryerson’s Centre for Digital Humanities.
If you don’t have to think about money, what job would you love to have?
Can I be totally cliché and say that I really love what I’m doing? However, if money wasn’t an issue I would definitely be travelling a lot more!
What creative outlets do you have? How important are they to you?
I have so many friends whose creative outlets include things such as writing poetry, short stories, painting, drawing – but I’ve never really been interested (or good at) these things. Instead, when I need to de-stress, I usually turn to video games (I’m still addicted to Fallout 4) or a good book. While not necessarily a “creative” outlet, these things are incredibly important to me as they allow me to get out of my head and just relax.
As far as books go, I couldn’t put down_____________.
I have to say two! My favourite classic is The Island of Dr. Moreau by H. G. Wells, but my favourite novel that I’ve read recently is Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.
Last song I listened to:
“Love” by Lana Del Rey.
Which do you like best: mountains, oceans, forests, or deserts?
Forests!