Post-Retirement Studies and Accolades Make Dreams Come True for Durham Student
Trent University Durham student Karen Fitzsimmons awarded Carlyle Smith Prize
“I'm a mature student with a passion for education. I am energized both by my own learning and by observing others learn,” says fourth-year Trent University Durham Psychology student Karen Fitzsimmons.
Ms. Fitzsimmons was recently awarded the Carlyle Smith Prize by Trent University for her thesis work that compared characteristics of both dreamers and dream themes. Her positive experience at Trent University Durham was supported by the dedication of the faculty surrounding her.
The prize is awarded annually to a third or fourth-year student who has shown outstanding performance on a project or paper concerning sleep, sleep disorders, or dreams and is named after renowned sleep expert and professor emeritus of Psychology, Dr. Carlyle Smith. Having previously encountered Professor Smith while presenting her work at Trent’s annual poster day, Ms. Fitzsimmons was delighted to learn that she had won the Carlyle Smith Prize.
Ms. Fitzsimmons has been hooked on the topic of sleep since writing a paper on dreams for Dr. Jeff Adams’ second-year Psychology course.
“Over the years Professor Adams has encouraged my studies in dreams one course at a time. His competent, professional approach made the learning process exciting, and challenging. All in all it was a wonderful learning experience for me,” she says.
Regarding her academic journey at Trent University Durham as a “retirement project,” the former teacher of visually impaired and blind students in the Durham Region feels the award is the “icing on the cake.”
Going forward in retirement and her studies, Ms. Fitzsimmons hopes to take her dreams even further by completing a master’s degree.