Canvas Student Voices: Maddi Rose, ACU
ACU student Maddi Rose shares how Canvas helped her balance study, work, and life, from the pandemic to graduation.
When Maddi Rose began her Bachelor of Business Administration and Commerce at Australian Catholic University (ACU), it was the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many in her cohort, she started her degree entirely online, expecting that one day she’d return to lecture halls and face-to-face tutorials.
But that return never fully came.
So whether it's three weeks in person, six weeks online, or whatever it might be, it's been predominantly online. And I've had a lot of people in my life kinda say, oh, you're missing out on the uni experience. Like, that's not what uni is about. But I truly think that this is the new way of uni. This isn't going to change or go anywhere.
I have known about Canvas for awhile. It started off with me using it for my high school education. And then when I transitioned into university, I had friends from other universities using Canvas. I was always like, "why is our LMS so outdated compared to Canvas?" So I'm really glad that ACU has made that transition to Canvas. I really use Canvas and incorporate it into my everyday life.
So whether it's the calendar function that I sync to my phone, whether it's I'm catching the train to uni and watching videos on my phone because I use the Canvas app, I can stay on top of my class work wherever I am. And also, if I have discussion posts due at the end of the week, I will on the train have a look at my phone, see what's due and write something on my phone straight away, so I'm ready to take on my next class. Now that I'm completed with my university degree and have used both LMS's for my university studies, There's really no competition between them. I personally have really enjoyed the aspect of it being so flexible to what I also want to do. So I'm able to work.
I am able to do uni. I'm able to have a social life. I'm really lucky enough to have it all kind of and Canvas is a big part of that.
Instead, Maddi's university experience remained mostly online—by choice. “I truly think that this is the new way of uni,” she said. “This isn't going to change or go anywhere. I'm able to work, I am able to do uni, I'm able to have a social life. I'm really lucky enough to have it all.”
Helping shape the transition to Canvas
Early in her studies, Maddi had to manage that balancing act using an outdated learning management system, one that required downloading content, lacked mobile access, and offered limited visibility into course expectations. That changed when ACU began transitioning to Canvas midway through her degree.
Rather than implementing the shift behind closed doors, the university actively involved students in the process. Through surveys and student-faculty discussions, ACU gathered feedback to ensure the next LMS would truly support the needs of modern learners. Maddi was one of several students brought in to help quality-check the migration, reviewing course materials to ensure they were complete, accurate, and accessible in Canvas.
“It was a really great opportunity for students to work alongside the university,” she said. “I tried to format and quality test each unit the way I’d want to learn it as a student.”
Her enthusiasm for the switch was rooted in firsthand experience. Maddi had used Canvas during high school and had seen peers at other universities thriving with it while she struggled with a clunky interface. When she learned ACU was switching to Canvas, she felt instantly optimistic.
“I was so excited and just knew how much easier and better university life would be for me because I had experience with it,” she said. “I really felt like, yeah, it was going to be easier.”
A platform that fits around everyday life
Canvas quickly became part of how Maddi kept her busy schedule on track. With the mobile app, she could watch lectures on the train, contribute to discussion posts during her commute, and receive real-time notifications about due dates.
“The calendar function really comes in handy,” Maddi explained. “Syncing it to my personal calendar means I can plan out my coursework, my work schedule, and still have time to go out on the weekend or play netball.”
As she nears the end of her uni experience, Maddi is exploring future options, including a career in finance or spending time working overseas. What she is certain about is how Canvas helped her succeed.
“There’s really no competition between the two systems. Canvas is the clear winner,” she said. “They’ve thought of everything students and lecturers need. It’s helped me make uni work for my life.”
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