Little Disclaimer

University is a fulfilling experience, especially if you enjoy your program and the materials taught in class. Overall, I do enjoy my university experience: it is challenging, interesting (usually), and makes me feel like I’m actually learning something rather than just going for the “chase of grades”, which was the case in high school. In fact, being here made me feel that I choose the right program, and I feel very fortunate to have done so. However, there are also other things that university may bring…

Guilt in taking a break

Ok, this might just be a me problem, but I often feel the case that breaks are a “waste of time”. It seems like there’s an endless amount of things I needed to do, and a break simply implied procrastination or “being lazy”. But this then leads to the next point:

Burnouts

With the constant work that seems never-ending, it is easy to develop a burnout. Especially at UW, keeping on top of your studies while searching for coop can be a very stressful experience. Seeing your friends receive offers could make this even worse, as you don’t wish to feel “left behind”. I can’t help but notice that many people become both emotionally and physically tired half-way into the term: physically because they are not taking care of themselves properly (skips meals, sleeps at sunrise…cough cough you know yourself if you see this). Especially some engineering and double degree friends sleeps a concerning low amount of hours (3/4 hours)…which I was also guilty of at some point…as well as emotional strain due to peer influences, stress, etc.

“Try-hards”

Tryhards exists at every university. Not that they are a bad thing, in fact they may be some of the most hardworking people you may meet; however, it would become negative if taken with a toxic mindset in a competitive setting. Debatably, I say UWaterloo has more of these special type of hardworkers than most other universities. The only problem is: as a “tryhard” coming into university, you were likely the “most tryhard person” in high-school yourself, and the amount of “tryhards” you meet here may end up pushing you to do things that you otherwise wouldn’t. For example, studying until 3am. This then leads to the next point, and possibly the most concerning point:

“Assimilation”

Sometimes, I wonder if everyone is “becoming each other”. You study almost identical subjects, go to the same events/conferences your friends go to, join the same club as your peers, polish your resume the same way your peers do, interview using the same “standard techniques” taught and shared among the group. Peers, peers, peers. When they say peers are important, they are right. Who you choose to be your peer will likely determine who you’ll become. But the scary part is, it may become easy to gradually become those who you look up to (which could be a good thing) but forgot who you used to be.

What was your passion? What were your interests? What did you like to do outside of academics?

Most importantly, What is your passion?

I think students need to stop and ask themselves these questions time to time.