The first day of class, back in September, I still remember entering Convocation Hall at the University of Toronto. Studying physics in a room filled with more than 1000 students was very different from the class of 30 I grew accustomed to. However, as the days passed, and the occasional “hey” and “what’s up?” was exchanged, the feeling of anxiousness began turning into excitement. This excitement gradually turned into stress as midterms approached, and then into calmness after the exams passed. This is what has made university such a thrilling experience for me, so far. University is what turns adolescents into adults; students into learners. The perpetual change of settings, classrooms, and emotions is what prepares us for the world that we are soon to embark on. These changes build skills, lead to discipline, and create strong relationship amongst peers. And for this, I am very grateful to be a part of.

One of the most amazing experiences has been a course called “Vic One”. This course has given me the opportunity of gaining research skills. The culmination of this course is a grant proposal, and in preparing for this, I have become more knowledgeable on a topic that has captured my interest since my father’s passing of pancreatic cancer. I look forward to the possibility of performing research of my own in the near future on this topic.

When I first set foot on the grounds of the University, I had my mind set on what I wanted to do. Because of this, I have kept my priorities clear and my ambitions straight. If this first semester is any indication of what the next four years in University is like, I cannot withhold my anticipation for what is to come . I can already imagine University is going to be an enjoyable, humbling, and extraordinary experience. I look forward to continuing retelling my experiences in the near future, and I can only hope that reading this blog is as interesting for you as it was writing for me.

It is an honour to be a Schulich Leader, and I am grateful for this opportunity.