Why should you apply to the University of Toronto Mississauga?

Smile! Wherever you may be reading this, smile! The days are beautiful, the nights are fresh and I hope what’s in between is amazingly wonderful!

Yasir here! I am writing to tell you more about myself and what compelled me to apply to and attend an amazing educational institution such as the University of Toronto in Mississauga. I would also like to provide you with a few pointers that may assist you in your decision making process, along with some motivational points here and there.

Before anything, let me introduce myself! I am currently a 2^nd year student, with a double major in Biology for Health Sciences and Chemistry, working towards an HBSc. I am also a part of the Residence Life Staff team as a Residence Don. My journey to UTM started a very long time ago. I was born in Iraq, raised in the United Arab Emirates, which is where I did most of my schooling, and I travelled to Canada last year as a first year student. For anyone who is making the transition from high school into the realm of higher education, It can at times be stressful, difficult, slow and even disheartening but at the University of Toronto, it was the complete opposite and for that I will forever be grateful!

Ever since I walked through these doors I was shown nothing but support, positivity and a pedestal for me to stand on to progress and become the person I would like to become. Something that I have always said is that, university gives you all the doors, but you need to be smart, and choose your own pathway. The University of Toronto in an inclusive, supportive, modern and effective environment for your skills and qualities to grow and thrive – this is one of the few characteristics that drew me to it. Let me explain further.

The whole feel of the university is something that I would not replace for anything. Towards the end of my high school years, I began to think of where I would like to do my higher education studies, and as a student looking for a reliable pathway to take up what do you look for? You aim for quality education; you aim for wonderful, credible and experienced faculty, great facilities and a program that captures your aim and desires. That is exactly what I found at the University of Toronto, which is why I chose it. The coziness of the campus which allows all of us through the years to form the biggest family that we ever had is another aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked, not to mention the academic ranking domestically and on an international level. U of T has it all.

Here is a wonderful quote, which I always live by;

"Teachers Open Doors, You Walk Yourself Through"

Whether your aims and desires drive you towards this wonderful place or not, always dream, always let your passions lead your path. Never get caught up in the result, breathe the journey and live in the moment. You can have anything you work hard towards – as cliché as that may sound, it is very much true. YOU CAN DO IT!

As for me personally, I am a student, a student of learning, a student of science, I can talk to you for hours about scientists, amazing experiments, theorems and equations! Due to this love, I can never pinpoint exactly what I aim to become in the next few years however I am fully aware that it is going to be something in the realm of scientific research whether it be geared towards a more chemical or biological theme.

There is no shame in not knowing, once you reach university you will see a whole new world of opportunity. A world so diverse and interesting that you wish you could do everything. That is the dilemma I am in, however, I know I will figure it out very soon and if you ever want to talk to a student who will ramble on about science then I am your man! Also, if anyone reading this wants to know more about transitioning from such a far place and how to adapt, or even about what it is like to live the university experience here or as a staff member of Residence Life, then again I am your man.

Finally, I would always cherish the choice I made in coming here, the friends I made, the relations I built and the connections that I have started make the experience as memorable as anything that has ever happened to me.

As you begin to make your own choices about post-secondary education, always remember the quote above; universities open doors, but we (me included) walk ourselves through.  Here is a door; walk through, you won’t regret it.

Yasir

Yasir is a second-year student at the University of Toronto Mississauga, working towards a Bachelors of Science with a double major in Biology for Health Sciences and Chemistry