Meet this week’s Campus Cutie Alyssa! Alyssa is making her mark on the Laurier community; she’s a part of Laurier Supporting Sick Kids, Habitat for Humanity, EcoHawks, and an executive for Laurier Naturalists and Healthy Lifestyles. She’s got a smile that light’s up any room she is in and she’s one of the nicest gals on campus!
Name: Alyssa Duncan
Age: 21
Year: 4
Program: Honours Geography with Sustainability Option, North American Studies Minor
Hometown: Ridgeway, ON
Relationship Status: Single
Currently Binge-watching: That 70’s Show
Fave Study Spot: Geography map library
Fave Bar: Chainsaw
Fave Takeout: Seagram Wrap from Wilf’s
Last song you listened to: Sorry by Justin Bieber
Fave Quote: “If the whole world was blind, how many people would you impress?” – Boonaa Mohammed
What are you involved in on campus?
A lot of things this year! I’m a part of Laurier Supporting Sick Kids, Habitat for Humanity, EcoHawks, and I am an executive for Laurier Naturalists and Healthy Lifestyles. Healthy Lifestyles has been my number one from the beginning and I am so happy to be the Residence Life Liaison this year, since sadly it is my last year at Laurier. I hope to make a huge impact on the first year students through floor talks, which mainly give tips on our objectives as a committee which are responsible drinking, safe sex practices, stress management, and consent through these informative presentations.
What keeps you engaged and why do you keep doing it?
The people that I meet every year! My ice breaker in first year always told me to get involved and I finally listened to her in third year, but I wish I had done it way sooner! I love putting my time and effort into things that I have learned and want to teach to other people! Being involved at Laurier gives you the best experience of your life and you get to meet great people who will be life-long friends after your four years here.
What is your favourite HL campaign/event?
‘Kiss HIV Goodbye’ because it brings awareness to the Laurier community about getting tested for STIs as well as the HIV virus. This campaign also strives to get rid of the stigma behind the HIV virus, since about 30% of people are living with it and have no idea, so we want to encourage testing.
What is your favourite Laurier memory?
I have many favourite memories here at Laurier, but if I had to choose one it would have to be in second year at homecoming, because it was one of the best days of my life that I got to spend with amazing friends. Everyone is always overly happy on this day, especially when we all wake up at 8 am with so much energy. The sea of people all dressed in purple and gold is something extraordinary. Some people probably think we are nuts, but that is most likely because they don’t go to Laurier so they are missing out.
If you could redo your first year, what would you change? What would you do the same?
If I could redo first year, I would work harder in the courses that I took, since I could have done way better if I actually tried and put in the effort. The thing I would do the same is always being myself because I have made some pretty amazing friends in first year that have stuck with me four years later. That is because I was always being quirky and loud, and I appreciate that they have stayed in my life because I could never have done university without them.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
Sassy, impulsive, and optimistic.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate covered almonds, obviously.
What famous person do you wish you could get dinner or drinks with?
This is a tough one! I would have to say Christian Bale because The Dark Knight was so good, and I absolutely love Batman.
What is one thing that you think should be on every Golden Hawk’s bucket list?
Getting a picture with the statue of Wilf in the Quad or with the Golden Hawk mascot, because I literally had this dream since first year. Although the picture with Wilf is very easy to get, it isn’t the same with the mascot since it took me four years to finally get one. I was ecstatic to say the least.
How do you de-stress?
My roommate just got a cat this semester, so he literally distracts me all the time when I’m at home. His name is Thor and he is just the cutest kitty ever, and when I pet him all my troubles seem to go away.
What is your recipe for happiness?
Trying to be positive about every situation that I am put into and doing what I love the most, which is spending time with friends and family, travelling out of leisure and to help people, and fulfilling my dreams. I am always the most happy when I am helping someone else because it gives me the greatest optimistic energy of all, knowing that I am supporting someone that may not be able to support themselves.
How do you get through exams?
First, I have a major breakdown because who doesn’t in university? Then I start by managing my time effectively so that I have enough days where I can study for one subject then move on to the next one. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn’t, but being organized makes me feel relieved in some way.