Maryam Bounabat, fourth-year finance and marketing student
“University is about more than earning a degree. From campus jobs and student clubs to volunteer opportunities and networking events, every experience is a chance to grow, build connections and discover your potential.”
Maryam Bounabat
— Fourth-year, finance and marketing student
“Success at university isn’t only measured by your grades. It’s also shaped by the opportunities you choose to take. Get involved, stay open to new opportunities and don’t let someone else’s limits become your own.”
Saima Mujeebuddin, third-year psychology (BSc) student
“Go to Welcome Week and the Club Fair, even if you don’t know anyone. One conversation can completely shape your university experience. These events introduced me to people I may never have met otherwise.”
Saima Mujeebuddin
— Third-year psychology (BSc) student
“Attending Welcome Week and the Club Fair helped me feel more comfortable on campus. It didn’t erase the sadness of leaving home, but it made the transition feel a little less lonely. Getting involved early gave me a sense of belonging and turned the University from a place where I studied into a place where I truly felt at home.”
Chris Uriel Gnakale, fifth-year communication and political science student
“Get involved and join a student-led initiative. Often, the most formative experiences happen outside the classroom.”
Chris Uriel Gnakale
— Fifth-year communication and political science student
“You’ll discover your strengths, expand your network and meet incredible people who’ll shape the course of your life.”
Vanessa Prinsen, gameplay programmer, (B.Eng, Software Engineering, 2005)
“Lean into what scares you! Join a student club in a field you know nothing about. Give yourself a project or a role even if you don’t think you have the necessary skills.”
Vanessa Prinsen
— (B.Eng, Software Engineering, 2005)
“We don’t expect people in school or starting their careers to be experts. Use that to set yourself challenges and discover new things!”
“Ask someone — a prof or someone else — to explain a subject to you. That’s how you’ll learn.“
Imane El Karafi, operations manager. (B.Eng, Mechanical Engineering and Information Technology, 2010)
“If you have the opportunity, enrol in co-op or internships during your studies. It allows you to explore different industries, build a professional network, and facilitates entry into the workplace.”
Imane El Karafi
— B.Eng, Mechanical Engineering and Information Technology, 2010
Teminijesu Stephen Olotu, second-year nursing student
“University is a big adjustment, and comparing yourself to others only adds unnecessary pressure. Focus on your own progress, ask for help when you need it and give yourself time to find what works for you.”
Teminijesu Stephen Olotu
— Second-year nursing student
“Don’t compare your first year to someone else’s. Everyone adjusts, learns and grows at a different pace. I wish I’d known that it was normal not to have everything figured out right away.”
Kadra Ali Aden, third-year management student
“It’s easy to fill your schedule and feel like you always need to be productive. Making time to rest, enjoy life outside of school and protect your well-being will help you stay motivated and avoid burnout.”
Kadra Ali Aden
— Third-year management student
“Being busy all the time doesn’t mean you’re making the most of university. Sometimes, the smartest thing you can do is slow down. Balance is not a distraction from success. It’s what makes it sustainable.”
Mathieu Samson-Savage (PhD in sociology, 2024)
“Start your studies being curious, with an open mind. Try to see what you’re interested in, what fits best with your vision of the world. In my case, I started in psychology because I thought it was the field that would allow me to help people the most. Then I discovered sociology — my way of thinking was better reflected by sociology. As I see it, the impact of sociology can be greater. We can find solutions to bigger problems.”