Some Strangers’ Thoughts on things that have to do with Uni and choosing Your Path
- themidnightmagazin
- Apr 30, 2021
- 5 min read
By Ann Uytiepo Parrenas
Curious about how others did it? Please read the following with a critical but open-minded thinking.
It’s almost time for grade 11 highschool students to start applying to school, so I’m hoping that they’re able to take-away something from this.
Grade 11 Student, Toronto
1.“Do you know where you’re headed?”
I don’t know where I’m headed, and I believe that’s okay.I feel like thinking of my life-long career is something that should be thought about thoroughly, and it shouldn't be rushed.
2.“How are you going to accomplish that?” or “How will you figure out what you want to do?”
I plan on taking a gap year after high school, and working to earn money for my tuition. As I’m working, I plan on researching many different careers and I hope that I find one that best meets my interests.
3.“What’s the most important thing for you, when choosing what you want to do?”
The most important thing is ensuring that this particular career is something that I am passionate about. I don’t want to pursue something that I will get tired of, especially since this is something I have to do everyday.
1st Year, Social Work Ryerson University 1.“When choosing your program, did you consider the availability of jobs in that specific course?” Yes. 2.“Do you think that the circumstance someone is in, such as financial, sways their decision in choosing what uni or program they’re going into?” Yes. Although income is important, you always need to choose a career that you’ll like because that’s what you’ll be doing until you retire. 3.“DO YOU DORM?” No. 4.“How different is uni/life from highschool?” In academic aspects, there’s more work but it’s good that they provide a syllabus so that you can plan out your coursework in advance, unlike high school 5.“Did you consider work life balance when choosing your path?” Yes. 6.“What did you consider when choosing your path?” Income, if it’s an occupation I’ll be able to handle mentally until I retire. 7.“What would you have done differently?” Having more extracurriculars/volunteering that relates to my program field 8. How do you not burn out? “Setting reasonable deadlines for yourself and not putting them off, then rewarding yourself after you finish it so you correlate it as a positive activity” 9. Did you worry alot about what university you were going to get into? “Absolutely.” 10. How important do you think it is to network? “Very important. Networking can bring many new opportunities that can boost your career.” 11. What’s your advice for those going into programs that their parents want them to go into? “It may be very hard and scary, but try to have a talk with them and tell them firmly but nicely that you don’t want to do the program they’re making you go into. At the end of the day it’s your life and you’re the one who’s going to have to be working in the career, not them. So it’s important to choose a career that you genuinely enjoy and have a stable income.” 12. Did you worry alot about what university you were going to get into? “ It’s never too late to change paths as you don’t know where life will take you. At times people (myself included) put too much of an emphasis on time, but time and where your life should “be at” are just socially constructed.” 13. What are your thoughts on double-majoring? “It’s amazing for people who are capable of doing it. It can provide many career opportunities and networking, but may increase your study load and you may not have as much time to yourself.”
Working, Toronto
1. Do you think that the circumstance someone is in, such as financial, sways their decision in choosing what uni or program they’re going into?
“Depends on the person! There are some people that are influenced by their financial situation. I would definitely encourage those individuals to look into scholarships or loans. There is nothing wrong with taking out a student loan to follow your dreams.”
2. Did you dorm?
“ Yes, I dorm-ed at a student residence (run by people of Opus Dei). “
- not sure if you want to include that)
3. How different is uni/life from highschool?
“Uni life is very very different from high school life! First of all you are your own boss! No one is going to go after you to do your homework or study for exams or even attend lectures. You learn to take responsibility for your actions. You also meet a lot of people who are very different from you.”
4. What year of uni did you think was the hardest for you? Why?
“I would say that the hardest year was my first year...especially because I moved to a new city (so I had no friends) and I was also very homesick.”
5. What did you consider when choosing your path?” (“Did you consider work life balance when choosing your path?” )
“When I was thinking of my program I simply went for the program most related to the courses that I loved in high school! Chemistry! I am no longer in that career path but I would never want to go back and change anything. I learned a lot of skills which I can apply to my current profession.
6. What would you have done differently (when choosing your path)?
“Nothing! Just enjoy every second even more!”
7. How do/did you not burn out?
“ I had a very good support system that helped me out quite a bit!
I was also involved in a lot of volunteering opportunities which taught me to make good use of my time. I told myself that if I wanted to be involved in many things then I would need to take care of myself.”
8. Did you worry a lot about what university you were going to get into?
“I worried a bit but not a lot. I think it's because I have 9 older siblings who all went to university so I knew how things worked a bit.”
9.What’s your advice for those going into programs that their parents want them to go into?
“I would encourage students to go into programs that they themselves want to pursue, not what their parents want. It is important that we respect our parents but for a choice such as our career path we need to do what our heart tells us.”
10. Do you think that it’s too late to change paths?
“ Not at all! It is never too late and there is no such thing as a waste of education! If you are doing it because you want to (unless it's something immoral) it is never a waste since you are becoming a better person through the process. It's all about the process!!! Not the results.”
11. How important do you think networking is?
“Networking is very important!!!!!! It opens up many possibilities and you get to "take advantage" of the experience and knowledge of others”
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