The general opinion seems to be that attending university with a parent is a situation to avoid at all costs. But what few people think about are the unique stories and the closeness you acquire crying over midterms at the same time as your mother.
In my third year at McGill, my mom decided to enroll as well. iPad (as per my recommendation) and the family dog (her favourite child) at her side, she was ready to embark on the journey of completing her master’s degree at the Max Bell School of Public Policy. Her biggest query going into this daunting, intensive program—that included two courses in economics (math is not her forte)—was whether or not I was really okay with her moving to Montreal. As a student myself, and knowing that my mother is a perfectionist (and a genius), I truly had no qualms about the matter. I knew she wouldn’t have the time to nag me, and was thrilled that she could finally realize her dream of going to graduate school. What I did not account for was how often I would have to convince people—my friends and hers, my professors and hers—that I was just as cool and hip as my mom. In light of all this, here are the reasons all McGill students should study alongside their parents.
- Your parent will get to know the city better than you.
While she studied hard, and read every page that was assigned to her word for word, my mom also managed to have fun with her cohort. They would go out clubbing and to the bars, where she quickly learned McGill’s ‘work hard, play hard’ culture. It’s hard to admit, but my mom has probably seen a better range of Montreal’s nightlife than the rest of us have. While undergrads like me were busy at Bar des Arts (BdA), she was at Sans Soleil and Renard. Like many students, I call my mom for help on virtually every matter, from dentist appointments to leases, and she has always given me her wisdom. This is a quality I’ve always cherished, but I never imagined it would extend to nights out. Yet there we were, at the pre-game, debating where to go—and I found myself calling my mom for advice.
- You’ll gain new family members.
Her friends embraced her and (by extension) me. Between shared school day lunches and the parties my mom invited me to, they became the older siblings I never had. I’ll never forget the moment that she judged a vaping competition between classmates or when I went to her house for dinner during Hype Week wearing the raunchiest T-shirt known to man. I explained that it was for a good cause and she sent me off to power hour. Sharing a school and a circle revealed sides of my mom that I had never would have imagined or had access to if it hadn’t been for her move.
- You’ll face new academic competition.
It wasn’t all party though—my mom’s grind was real. On top of being a full-time student and a part-time social butterfly, she landed a research assistant gig. That’s when things got interesting: Turns out, my honours thesis supervisors are tight with her research supervisor. So, you might find yourself in the same academic circles, which on the one hand increases the incentive to do well, but on the other, gives you a parent who dishes out regular life advice and also knows the ins and outs of McGill. Talk about levelling up the family dynamic.
Looking back, sharing McGill with my mom was an unexpected bonus. It definitely had its quirks, but more importantly, it had its perks. She didn’t just complete her master’s degree; she also became an integral part of my university experience (with anecdotes to prove it). So, if you ever find yourself sharing campus with a parent, don’t sweat it too much. You’ll probably find a new appreciation for their tenacity, youthfulness and dedication. Who knows, we might find ourselves taking on our PhDs together someday—though she better not get hers before me.
