Third Year Pathogens
Justyna Zukowski
Hometown: Georgetown
Hedden Hall
Biomedical Sciences
Electives: MATH 1X03, MATH 1XX3, MATH 1B03, HTH SCI 1DT3
Sara Markovic
Hometown: Etobicoke
Hedden Hall
Child Health
Electives: PSYCH 1X03, ECON 1B03, CLASSICS 2MT3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
I work as both a ski instructor and lifeguard! (however, as you can imagine, not at the same time)
Greatest struggle in first year:
In first year, I thought that I had to have everything under control at all times in all contexts, especially because it appeared to me that everyone else did. To ask for help was to admit that I was not as strong as I thought I was, or as strong as everyone else around me. This was a huge burden to place on myself, and one that got especially hard to carry when university threw hurdles at me that I had never previously encountered. At some point, I put my pride down for long enough to see the incredible people around me who had just been waiting to lend a helping hand. Whether it be asking my prof questions during office hours (recommend!!!), crying it out to a good friend, or sharing my fears with my roommate, I found that having open, honest conversations (with others, and with myself) helped me build a support system that made me stronger than I had ever been before. It sounds cliché, but it was a lesson that completely changed the rest of my McMaster experience. University will (almost) inevitably give you burdens to carry, but you only need to look around you to know that you don't have to carry them alone.
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Two truths and a lie: 1) I have a younger sister 2) I live off campus with 5 other Health Sci's 3) I can speak Polish. Answer TBA during Welcome Week!
Greatest struggle in first year:
In first year, I felt the need to prove myself academically, whether it was taking "hard" electives, overloading classes in second semester (yikes!!! not a good idea), insisting on certain portions of research in group projects, etc. Because of this, I started to hate learning and focused more on the end product. It took a while for me to realize that the reasons I was successful in high school were: I loved to learn, I loved engaging with my classmates to improve my knowledge, and I did not undermine my abilities. These are areas that I constantly work on, but once I started implementing, made my university experience a whole lot better!
Bronte Johnston
Hometown: Beamsville
Mary Keyes
Wildtype
Electives: MATH 1LS3, PHYSICS 1A03, HTH SCI 1PA3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
I am obsessed with my dog Oscar, professional singer in the shower and shark wrestler among other things. I also enjoy sipping cups of tea, scrolling through fashion bloggers and sports (hit me up fellow runners and yoga enthusiasts). I am currently involved in the McMaster triathlon club, hospital volunteering as well as participating in BHSc. Events. Fun fact: I talk about Banff a lot and I have hiked 37 peaks in the Rockies!
Greatest struggle in first year:
My greatest struggle in first year was deciding what I wanted to do with my time at McMaster. With so many clubs and courses, I found that I was constantly running from place to place. However, over time I created a thorough schedule and reflected on what my true passions are and how I can balance them (seriously, sleep is your best friend).
Meghan Twomey
Hometown: Richmond Hill
Matthews Hall
Wildtype
Electives: WOMENST 1AA3, ENG 1A03, ANTHRO 1AA3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Eating, Yoga-ing, Netflix-ing, Spending too much money at Lush and taking extra long bubble baths, The occasional theatrical performance, Eating
Greatest struggle in first year:
I struggled with coming out of my shell. I'm still a very quiet person, but I think I've acquired at least a little bit more confidence. In first year I never made an effort to participate in extracurriculars, and so I feel like I missed out on tons of opportunities to make new friends and figure out what I am capable of. I dealt with my first-year mistakes by taking more risks this year, some of which didn't pay off, but that's okay. I'm currently doing something that I would have never even considered a year and a half ago. I also struggled with working out. I'm still dealing with that.
Debbie Kao
Hometown: Toronto
Hedden Hall
Wildtype
Electives: PSYCH 1XX3, HTH SCI 1DT3, PHYSICS 1A03
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Anything art related (please ask me anything from classical art, photography, anime, cartoon, still life to painting and many others). I am obsessed with studio ghibli and I love to play baseball. Enjoy watching The Mentalist and animated movies. Favourite artist is Banksy and anything impressionism related.
Greatest struggle in first year:
Probably being away from home and have to commute back to Toronto every week to take care of my family. I had to lose sleep because of that but I got through it by a good social support network, some TV shows and doing art. Having siblings is a bless :)
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
I was born in South Africa! I also row for Mac!
Greatest struggle in first year:
Time management - Coming to Uni was full of lessons, but this was definitely the biggest one. I found that I had to really plan out my days to be efficient (ie. using a whiteboard as a timetable and planning which hours I would study, eat, relax...)
Veeral Desai
Hometown: Waterloo
Les Prince
Child Health
Electives: ECON 1B03, ECON 1BB3, PHYSICS 1A03
Tereza Zetko
Hometown: Etobicoke
Hedden Hall
Wildtype
Electives: MATH 1A03, ECON 1B03, CLASSICS 1M03
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Hobbies (in a nutshell): Spotify/Soundclound, reading (usually of the non-fiction variety... have been getting more into fiction lately though aka please make recommendations), going to work (can be fun!), long walks... with mama, Skins, being a hypochondriac, etc...
Greatest struggle in first year:
Overall lowered self-esteem tbh! I've always been very self-critical so it didn't help to be in a competitive environment (note: competitive in a good way, it will push you forward)... I solved/am "still solving" my struggle by gradually realizing my self worth and capabilities!!! (^ cliché answer but spoken from the heart)
Rina Patel
Hometown: Waterloo
Wallingford Hall
Child Health
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, MATH 1LS3, ANTHRO 1AA3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Food and music are two of my passions! Hamilton has so many awesome places to get food, if you're willing to venture off campus, hmu for good restaurants! Also, I'm the type of person who ALWAYS has music playing in my house/room. From Benny Goodman to Billy Idol to Bruno Mars, the tunes vary and depend entirely on my mood! And I'm always looking for song/album requests :)
Greatest struggle in first year:
I came from a small community where I literally grew up with the same people from JK to Grade 12. Leaving my close friends was the hardest part of my transition to university. Also, I never really needed to make new friends growing up so I was afraid that I didn't know how to. I almost turned down my offer to Mac because of this! I'm glad I didn't though because first year was a BLAST and there were so many opportunities to meet great people! I personally found my comfort in my residence; I loved the people I was living with and that made my year phenomenal! If you're feeling the same, I would suggest getting involved in residence/faculty events during Welcome Week and/or throughout the year. I actually met my current housemates through res events during Welcome Week and though it wasn't a "best friends at first sight" type of thing, it allowed me to build strong relationships with people that I had already met! Honestly, it might seem a bit overwhelming (and seemingly impossible) at first but you never know where and when you'll meet your best friends :) (and when in doubt, your Pathogens will be your best friends too <3)
Aditi Sharma
Hometown: Burlington
Woodstock Hall
Wildtype
Electives: MATH 1LS3, ECON 1B03, PHYSICS 1A03
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Avid coffee drinker, LOVE dark chocolate and enjoy dancing, working out and binge watching Game of Thrones
Greatest struggle in first year:
Coming into the Health Sciences program where every student comes in with a long list of great accomplishments, I felt somewhat inferior and insecure. In high school, I had great friends and a strong support system that I could turn to, but at university, I felt like I had nobody and this made me feel worse about myself. However, over the course of the year, as those group projects started rolling in and I started joining various activities, I met some incredible people. It wasn't long until I learned to appreciate the people around me and myself in the process. Reaching out and having those heart-to-heart conversations made me realize how similar we all are in our struggles and worries. I guess that is the beauty of McMaster: it brings people together. So I encourage you all to reach out and share your story with other people because they would love to listen and are likely in the same boat as you. Also, if you ever need someone to talk to, please don't hesitate to message me anytime on Facebook or Learnlink. I would love to chat :)
Sharon Sarjinsky
Hometown: Thornhill
Les Prince
Child Health
Electives: ANTHRO 1AA3, ECON 1B03, HTH SCI 1DT3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
I am a big fan of trying new food. In Hamilton there are so many cute restaurants and cafe's that I love exploring (10/10 recommend The Bread Bar). As well, I enjoy travelling to different parts of the world, a few places that I have been to are Ecuador, Italy and Scotland! I try to cook sometimes, I guess we can say it got better from the start. Looking forward to all the exciting opportunities third year has to offer!
Greatest struggle in first year:
One of my biggest struggles in first year was not knowing what to expect coming into Health Sci. What electives should I take? Will I like my roommate? How's the food on campus? How are the other Health Science students? And then there was the mysterious Inquiry. What is this course? Although I had many uncertainties, throughout first and second year I discovered the value of working with my peers. At the beginning group work can seem challenging to adjust to, however overtime you begin to appreciate the ability to learn from others. Overall, as the year progressed I met so many wonderful people in the Health Science and residence community!
Yaanu Jeyakumar
Hometown: Toronto
Brandon Hall
Wildtype
Electives: MATH 1LS3, ECON 1B03, HTH SCI 1DT3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Had my own Katniss Everdeen moment in 2013 when I learned how to shoot a bow from Maasai warriors in Kenya! I mean, training from the best much??? (fyi, the bow traveled an astounding three feet before it hit the ground but it's the effort that counts ok?)
Greatest struggle in first year:
Being away from home and comfort was definitely difficult and took some time to get used to. That being said, I met some incredible people in my res and program throughout the year and Mac slowly became a second home. If you ever feel lost, you're not alone - we've all been there! Don't be afraid to reach out! Always down to have a chat :)
Muhammed Ali
Hometown: Mississauga
Brandon Hall
Wildtype
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, ECON 1B03, ECON 1BB3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
FUN FACT: I was named after the world's greatest boxer (Sike.. but if you wanna hear my actual name story hmu during WW!) Jokes aside, I am an AVID soccer and hockey fan, love to play all sports and workout, enjoy acting and theatre, video games are one of my favourite pass times, POPEYES TENDERS W/BLACKENED RANCH DIP, and my favourite shows on Netflix (in order of obsession) are Suits, House of Cards, The 100, Riverdale, OITNB and Zoo! I once consecutively watched half of a World's Deadliest marathon on Nat Geo WILD and Planet Earth 2 is an all-time fav. I would also consider myself tech savvy and like to stay up-to-date with political/social affairs. CANT WAIT TO MEET YOU ALL THIS FALL!
Greatest struggle in first year:
My greatest challenge in first year was learning how to balance school, social life, and personal wellbeing on my own. Living with my friends on residence was a completely different dynamic from living at home as I was (for the first time) fully accountable for every decision that I made. Whether it was picking between a side of fries or salad for dinner, choosing to study in my room or hanging in the common room with friends, or deciding between going out or staying in on a Friday night, I had a much more freedom than I was used to living at home. Although I was tempted to take (and often took) the tastier/easier/funner route at first, the consequences of my decisions quickly started to pile up and took a toll on my physical health and academics. Thankfully I realized the negative outcomes of my (numerous) care-free choices sooner rather than later and made an active effort to make smarter and more beneficial decisions. However, I couldn't have done it without surrounding myself with the brilliant, motivating, and encouraging individuals that I met both in my program and residence. Finding and establishing a support system pushed me to achieve my full potential all while making friends and memories that I know I will take with me beyond my years at McMaster :)
Haydn Walker
Hometown: Toronto
Mary Keyes
Wildtype
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, MATH 1LS3, ECON 1BB3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Hockey fan (Senators), Tom Brady enthusiast, country music for days, avid backcountry skier, pet owner, I’m a real bad liar, I’m a peanut butter kinda guy, 8th Inning with Jason Grilli is the best part of any day
Greatest struggle in first year:
In first year, I had appendicitis. The surgery was no big deal, the hard part was forcing myself to take it easy and recover. This was a challenge because it was first year and I didn’t want to miss anything. Unfortunately I decided to wing a test the day after I left the hospital, and then went out with my friends that night. I spent the next bunch of days in bed feeling terrible. Moral of the story: first year is incredibly busy and fun, but you’ve gotta take care of yourself.
Hannah Byles
Hometown: Calgary
Bates Hall
Child Health
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, HTH SCI 1PA3, ANTHRO 1AA3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
I love to dance and go on hikes in the mountains. I have three cats (but I swear I like dogs too) and I really....REALLY enjoy wearing my slipper socks at home :)
Greatest struggle in first year:
My greatest struggle in first year was being super far away from my home and all of my family and friends. Although not always easy, the best way I managed to overcome this difficulty was by taking baby steps to reach out to those around me. As scary as it seems, introducing yourself to someone passing by in your res hallway or in class will give you a familiar face to smile at later and maybe even a lifelong friend. The McMaster community is incredibly welcoming, don’t be afraid to reach out! :)
Drew McLean
Hometown: Toronto
Delaware Hall (University of Western Ontario)
Wildtype
Electives: N/A; transfer student!
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
In my free time you can catch me doing yoga, running, binge watching Game of Thrones, or spending all my money on live music and food
Greatest struggle in first year:
Moving schools/towns/universities can be a huge challenge, especially when you don't know many people. When I transferred to Mac, I knew it would be difficult to start fresh in the middle of my undergrad. Like most things, it gets better with time. You stop wanting to visit home every weekend and there comes a moment when McMaster will truly become your new 'home'. For some (like me) that point may come several months later than you'd like, but I promise it will happen!
Nikola Pupic
Hometown: Toronto
Les Prince
Wildtype
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, FRENCH 1A06
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Basketball, Volleyball, Long walks on the beach, Steven Alchi
Greatest struggle in first year:
Transitioning from high school to university was probably the biggest struggle for me. I had to figure out how to balance all academics and all extra-curricular activities I wanted to do. I found that really making sure you have good time management skills helps and even going as far as planning your day out and using an agenda to track your day.
Grace Martin
Hometown: Etobicoke
Hedden Hall
Wildtype
Electives: ANTHRO 1AA3, HTH SCI 1DT3, HLTH AGE 1AA3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Hobbies: Working out, Hanging out with friends, Netflix, Reading
Fun Fact: The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell
Greatest struggle in first year:
My greatest struggle in first year was finding a good balance between school, extracurricular activities, and my social life. There are so many great things to get involved in at Mac and I often felt very overwhelmed trying to make time for everything. My advice is instead of trying to do everything just join a few clubs/activities that you are really interested in. Also, make time for yourself, friends, and to have fun! The cliché that your undergrad years fly by is very true, so make the most of it!
Owen Luo
Hometown: Richmond Hill
Matthews Hall
Child Health
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, MATH 1A03, MATH 1B03
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
A person who stabs people with sharp, pointy objects...without hesitation or remorse. #McMasterFencing
Greatest struggle in first year:
Imposter syndrome: the incessant comparisons I made with others in such a holistically gifted peer environment manifested a gnawing feeling of inadequacy. During my time as a Health Sciences student, most poignantly within the domain of my first year Inquiry experience, I was lucky to have great mentors who helped champion my personal development. From my time here, I had learned to remind myself to own each moment as my authentic self.
Susan Dong
Hometown: Mississauga
Hedden Hall
Wildtype
Electives: PSYCH 1X03, HTH SCI 1DT3, CLASSICS 2MT3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
I love to play volleyball, travel (fun fact: i'm an avid mediocre amateur blogger...emphasis on the mediocre), and go on spontaneous 3am walks across Hamilton.
Greatest struggle in first year:
My biggest struggle coming into university was breaking out of my comfort zone when it came meeting new people and finding meaningful extra-curriculars to join. High school was a comfortable time when everything felt like it was laid out for me. Morning announcements made sure I didn't miss any meetings or events going on that day, and classmates I had known since middle school were all doing the same things as me. So, coming into first year, I had to shift out of this passenger seat mindset to actively find my interests. At first, it was very scary and overwhelming, but I quickly realized how amazing of a support system the Health Sci community can be. So, don’t be afraid to reach out to your classmates, upper-years, and faculty members- we’re all here for you!
Sheila Yu
Hometown: Hamilton
Matthews Hall
Child Health
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, MATH 1LS3, MATH 1B03
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
* I have recently rediscovered the joys of reading
* I enjoy running my fingers over violin strings so I can develop callouses (my favourite composer is Tchaikovsky)
* I don’t like salt, to the point that I will purposely get in an argument about how much salt to put in someone else’s food
* Drinking coffee gives me a headache
Greatest struggle in first year:
My greatest challenge in first year was finding my sense of self. Health Sci is a relatively small program where many students take the same courses and stress about the same assignments, midterms and exams during a similar time frame. Between listening to what my peers were doing and simultaneously trying to fit in with them, it was difficult to find what worked best for me. At times like this, it helped me to reflect on how content I felt and to do the things that made me feel confident. This renewed self-confidence allowed me to distinguish my goals from those of others and gave me a sense of freedom to pursue what made me happy. University is a time to explore the infinite possibilities life has to offer, whether it comes in the form of people, courses, clubs or opportunities. Please engage in healthy doses of self-care. Your future self will thank you.
Cathy Lu
Hometown: Markham
Brandon Hall
Child Health
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, MATH 1A03, ECON 1B03
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
I enjoy trying to keep my cacti alive, drawing/doing artsy things, and eating kabocha squash. I appreciate people who feed me. I love exploring different restaurants and hanging out at cafes, taking "pics for Instagram" that I never get around to actually posting (oops). ALSO: being curled up in a chair + wearing my unicorn onesie (my best Amazon purchase ever) + scrolling through hedgehog accounts on Instagram + eating cereal + chill background instrumentals = THE BEST THING EVER.
Greatest struggle in first year:
For me, it was difficult trying to keep away from the mindset and attitude that "everyone else was doing better than I was doing", or "I should be doing 'this' because everyone else seems to be doing it". I like to remind others (and myself) that "you do you" is sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself. I also found it really helpful to talk to others about what I was worrying about, and gained new perspectives through their thoughts and insights - please don't hesitate to reach out to me (via Facebook, LearnLink, email) or anyone else if you have anything you'd like to talk about or ask!
Jason Gill
Hometown: Brampton
Woodstock Hall
Wildtype
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, MATH 1A03, ECON 1B03
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
I like to dance.
Greatest struggle in first year:
My biggest struggle was getting myself out of my dorm room initially. I was afraid to go out to get involved and meet new people. I eventually overcame this by taking little steps, joining a few clubs (NACS!) and making new friends until I began to feel comfortable taking more risks and exploring Mac.
Jamshied Shamlou
Hometown: Oakville
Moulton Hall
Child Health
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, MATH 1A03, ECON 1B03
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
rugby, hiking, ukelele learning, coffee, food network, NHL16, trees
Greatest struggle in first year:
Self-regulation was one of my biggest challenges. With all the freedom and wonderful experiences that University offers, it can be tough to prioritize and create a sustainable schedule. I'm constantly trying to find ways to balance relationships, the fun stuff and the work, especially as my commitments change. Most people know to use lists and calendars, but I find that reflecting on how each tool or strategy is helping can highlight what works best for you. The BHSc office staff were also able to help me out a lot!
Annie Yu
Hometown: Vancouver
Bates Hall
Wildtype
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, MATH 1LS3, ENG 1AA3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Most people eat food. I inhale food. I apparently consume too many calories per day relative to my body size and you will be one of my favourite people if you ever share food with me. Aside from trying out new restaurants and overeating, I enjoy reading fiction in English and Chinese (my favourite author is currently Franz Kafka), meditating, and following along Blogilates’ videos. Despite being a health sciences student, I enjoy exploring opportunities outside the field of science, such as writing and planning social events for Incite Magazine. In the ideal world, I would be living in Hawaii and taking early morning strolls along Waikiki beach. My actual permanent residence for the past year was sadly the Health Sciences Library, but I do appreciate all the anatomy I learned and the endless amount of coffee and calories from the 24-hour Corner Cafe.
Greatest struggle in first year:
Surprisingly, I enjoyed moving away from home and meeting new people outside of the Greater Vancouver bubble. That being said, I found it difficult to transition from the fun and excitement of Welcome Week to the first-year academic life. I began to feel anxious when so many people around me seemed to have very definitive plans and career goals. Fortunately, peers in my Inquiry class, my roommate, and my fellow MacServe trip members helped me realize that the journeys are much more important than any destination. Group work was also a learning curve for myself and most of my peers, but again, there were helpful resources along the way to support our collaborative learning. The long hours of group meetings also fostered meaningful friendships and many excuses for late night pizza orders!
Deeksha Kundapur
Hometown: Saskatoon
Bates Hall
Wildtype
Electives: ECON 1B03, MATH 1LS3, HTH SCI 1DT3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Hobbies: competitive sleeping -- it's a race against myself. Other hobbies include: buying miniature items, throwing away my life savings on amazon.ca, being professional-grade cringe, thinking about how cows feel about being milked, barking at my dog to establish dominance, singing, piano, flute, ukulele/guitar, badminton, baking, anime (where are my weebs @), etc. Fun fact: I almost got banned from Superstore?? Honestly if you're curious, just bring up "the potato story" to me. Ask and ye shall receive.
Greatest struggle in first year:
Two words: E X I S T E N T I A L. L O N L I N E S S. The first month of first year was a really difficult period of adjustment for me, and as I found out later, for a significant portion of first years as well. Coming to university, especially if it means moving away from home, requires you to uproot your life and attempt to rebuild it in an entirely new place, surrounded unfamiliar faces. To deal with it, I communicated with my family and friends back home as much as possible, but also tried to spend as much time as possible with the new friends I made in order to establish meaningful relationships with them. Soon enough, I found myself labelling my friends from university as "my second family". If you find yourself feeling empty, desolate, or downright confused about your move to McMaster, please realize that most of the people around you feel the exact same way. It's temporary-- things will absolutely get better and soon enough, those feelings will just be demoted to memories. Feel free to reach out if you ever want to talk :)
Mijia Murong
Hometown: Waterloo
Hedden Hall
Global Health
Electives: ENG 1A03, MATH 1A03, HTH SCI 1PA3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
talk to me about podcasts, poetry, exploring Hamilton, gelato, social justice, small animals, or anything else lol
Greatest struggle in first year:
Spreading myself too thin when trying to get my foot in every opportunity presented to me- as a result I experienced a lot of rejections, and wasn't able to fully commit to the ones that I was accepted for either. I dealt with it by learning to respect my limitations, focusing on my tasks at hand, and realizing that my peers were going through similar struggles!
Sean Leung
Hometown: Richmond Hill
Mary Keyes
Global Health
Electives: PHYSICS 1A03, MATH 1A03, HTH SCI 1DT3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Going to the gym, playing guitar, hiking, pushing the boundaries of the human stomach
Greatest struggle in first year:
I had a lot of trouble in first year finding a group of friends and I was floating around a lot. It was pretty lonely and a lot of the time I found myself in my res talking to people I knew from before because it was safer...but that made mac feel less homey than it should have been. When I started getting out there and trying new stuff and meeting new people, things changed a lot and I made a lot of great friends. I guess the moral of the story is to get out and explore because you never really know what kind of wonderful things you'll stumble across.
Jason Kwan
Hometown: Toronto
Hedden Hall
Child Health
Electives: ECON 1B03, MATH 1LS3, HTH SCI 1PA3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
Hobbies: Procrastinating, Sleeping over at friends' houses for extended periods of time, Watching National Geographics (Animals), Late night Horror movies, Bird watching
Greatest struggle in first year:
Greatest Struggle: Life
The transition from high school to university is definitely not easy. You have make new friends, be responsible, remember everyone's names, get used to school work etc. It is important to know that everyone experiences these kinds of difficulties. Even now, going to my 3rd year, I'm still having trouble with the basics. The most crucial advice I can give is that it is ok to ask for help. There is no harm in asking for clarification from the BHSc Faculty, your friends, strangers or upper years. We've all been there before. A chocolate chip muffin would be nice though ;)
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
When I was 3 years old I swallowed and choked on a dime, but I survived and unfortunately my mother decided to collect the dime after it had passed through my digestive system... crappy fun fact, am I right?
Greatest struggle in first year:
Finding balance. I come from a small town and I did not have the opportunity to be exposed to IB or AP. I was fearful that I was some how behind and inferior to my peers. This mentality was futile, I neglected basic necessities to over-study, such as eating regularly and taking time to be kind to myself. With the help of my inquiry facilitator my perspective changed and I developed a more balanced and healthier body and mind. I feel like in university and this program, we have a natural propensity to compare ourselves to our peers. I realized that by juxtaposing myself with peers, I was never enabling for any personal growth. It was important for me to recognize that everyone has their own unique and diverse strengths and challenges. Our strengths are often visible and apparent to others but our challenges remain latent and hidden. After first year, I became more cognizant that such challenges exist and persist in each of us, even when sometimes others may seem to have everything together. I know it sounds cliché but be kind to yourself and others.
Devin Roshan
Hometown: Innisfil
Les Prince
Child Health
Electives: ECON 1B03, MATH 1LS3, ANTHRO 1AB3
Marcin Zegarmistrz
Hometown: Toronto
Matthews Hall
Wildtype
Electives: MATH 1A03, ECON 1B03, PHYSICS 1A03
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
I'm a Hypebeast and I a'int afraid to show it. If you ever wanna talk sneakers, street wear, Kanye or Music, Hit me up!
Greatest struggle in first year:
I was afraid that I might struggle with making good friends but the way the program is structured, you get to meet so many great people and I made some amazing, life long friends :)
Stephanie Gagnon
Hometown: Kingston
Moulton Hall
Wildtype
Electives: MATH 1LS3, PSYCH 1X03, HLTH AGE 1BB3
Hobbies/Fun Fact:
I love kids and to dance
Greatest struggle in first year:
Homesickness
