(L-R) Peter Blair, Baylee Wheelock, Maya Le Baron

Student Voices

Finding the Right Fit

An undergraduate student reflects on the path that brought her to BU Wheelock

It was the summer I was nine, and my family and I were headed back from a vacation in Vermont. As we drove through the winding roads, we passed along a sign that read Wheelock Community Garden, a local project with connections to the University of Vermont in South Burlington. I couldn’t help but have some butterflies in my stomach as we saw the sign. My own name as a college? Naturally, we had to stop by, take some pictures, and buy a shirt. 

Eight years later, it was time for me to think about college. I visited anywhere and everywhere, but only applied to a few. When decisions came back, I had finally chosen one. Spoiler: It wasn’t Boston University! Instead, I headed to a small college in Massachusetts, where I would spend just one memorable year that I wouldn’t trade for the world. 

However, I soon realized that school no longer suited me, and I started to explore other options. The transfer process was no easy feat and really challenged me to find who I was and what I wanted. After endless hours of scrolling through different schools, I decided on Wheelock College of Education & Human Development at Boston University. BU gave me the opportunity to travel abroad, minor, take classes not directly correlating with my major, and the chance to try things I was interested in. It seemed like the perfect fit for me. 

It wasn’t until the end of my term at my previous school that I found out I would be attending Wheelock. Wow. It was really feeling full circle now. I felt so grateful and ready to embark on this new journey of my life. 

Walking into Wheelock on the first day of classes, I felt a warm embrace, a place full of open arms and open minds unlike anything I have ever experienced. Not everyone here wants to be a teacher—some want to advocate, fight for justice, create policies, educate, counsel, create curriculum, learn ASL, and the list goes on. I can’t even begin to describe all the opportunities available. I have had such fun going on different trips for some of my classes and learning the different career paths that you can take at Wheelock. 

Currently, I am a sophomore studying education and human development. I haven’t declared my specialization yet, but I am hoping to go into either teaching & learning or child & adolescent mental health. Another great opportunity I get here is working with second to fourth graders at a local after school program. I help with any questions they may have on their homework and have grown great connections with them through active learning and recreational play. These students are amazing and have taught me so much.

One of the best decisions I’ve made so far was applying to be a Wheelock Dean’s Host. This position has allowed me to meet other Wheelies and professors/administration from other colleges (going to a lecture by Peter Blair from Harvard University’s Graduate Education program!), as well as listen to the wonderful stories and experiences from the dean herself, Dr. Penny Bishop. 

Transferring to Wheelock has been such a joy from the start. I would not have had the experiences or opportunities anywhere else. Wheelock is the perfect fit and creates a community unlike any other. I feel so thankful that the people around me push me outside of the box and help me be the best me. Young me would never believe she is trying things she could never imagine doing. Try new things, do something different, break out of your comfort zone—and remember how far you have come because now you’ve found your place, and it is at Wheelock.