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Homecoming's back, baby!
A message from the Office of Advancement.
After a decade-long hiatus, Homecoming returns! On September 21, join your colleagues and bring your friends and family for a day of fun. All UWaterloo faculty, staff and retirees who purchase tickets or a pass by September 13 will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a $100 prize pack from the W Store.
Stop by the Faculty, Staff and Retiree Giving Program booth (near the football stadium) for complimentary snacks and try your luck at mini-putt for a chance to win a mystery prize. While you’re there, write a special message of encouragement to students as they settle into their new term.
Escaping tunnel visions of success
By Mayuri Punithan. This article originally appeared on Waterloo News.
For many students, university is an exciting way to propel their career whether it’s through their academic program, co-op jobs or networking. But these opportunities can also create serious pressures.
Students may develop unrealistic expectations of success, which puts their mental health at risk. It’s no longer getting a job you’re passionate about, but rather how grand the title or salary is.
Inayah Chaudhary, an undergraduate student in the Mathematical Optimization program, felt pressured to secure a job with a big tech company like Facebook or Amazon, because of the prestige her peers placed on those jobs. “I noticed some students would develop tunnel vision. Their entire co-op applications were for jobs in Silicon Valley, or they would dismiss great opportunities because they were from small companies.”
In addition to feeling pressured, this mentality can also lead students to feel unsatisfied with their accomplishments because they perceive they don’t measure up with their peers. “Sometimes self-doubt creeps in, especially when you see so many amazing people receive internships from big-name companies,” says Reyna Dai, a student in Waterloo’s business and math double degree program.
Three Waterloo students reflect on their experiences and share how they’ve managed common misconceptions about success and the student experience to promote better mental health and well-being.
Define your own success
During her third co-op, Chaudhary joined Waterloo’s Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op) program, where students can create their own business. She co-founded HEYO, a startup designed to automate influencer marketing. It was then that she began to realize her true career passion.
“Not everyone's values and goals are going to be the same as yours, and that’s okay. That doesn’t mean your success is less success,” Chaudhary says. “To better understand your values, always keep your past self in mind. What were their dreams like before going to university? Then, you're more willing to pursue your own passions.”
Now, Chaudhary’s career goal is to “build products for a better future” whether it’s working at a local start-up or creating her own venture. “I'm not valuing my success based on if I made it to Silicon Valley. I'm valuing my success based on my own definition. Did I work at a company where I had an impact? Did I build something I liked? Did I contribute something to the world?”
Friend not foe
When scrolling through LinkedIn, it’s easy to feel inferior when you see your peers post about their latest achievements. However, Eric Zhang, a student in Software Engineering, encourages students to shift their mindset by seeing these posts “as inspiration, not competition.”
“If your peers are working somewhere you are interested in, you can always reach out for advice. Ask them what they've done to achieve where they’re at now, and if they have faced any challenges along the way.”
Leaning into your local circle can also help you deal with stress. “Always work with your classmates. Don’t be afraid to ask or offer help like posting and sharing notes or building projects together,” Zhang says.
Compete with your past self
Dai stopped comparing herself with others when she realized it was a toxic and endless cycle. She realized that to improve, you must compare yourself with your past.
“Why are you comparing yourself with someone who has a completely different background, environment, skillset, personality as you? Everyone has their own pace,” Dai shares. “Every second you spend thinking about others, is a second you could be investing in your own growth”.
Take a break
Another important piece of advice is to value personal and social growth just as much as career and academics. Dai encourages students to seek community by joining various campus clubs and organizations. She also believes prioritizing wellness activities is key to avoid burn-out.
“Every week, I schedule at least 30 minutes to do something I enjoy like playing volleyball or grabbing ice cream. It forces me to see my well-being as something I need to do rather than if I have time or as a reward,” Dai says.
At Waterloo, we're committed to supporting students in finding a community where they can belong, succeed and grow. Visit the current student website to explore opportunities to get involved, find help and access support.
Thank you, Waterloo donors!
A message from the Office of Advancement.
Nearly 8,000 donors in 32 countries contributed to the University of Waterloo community last year and their generosity is fueling problem-solving and innovation across our campuses. Donors provide financial support to exceptional students through scholarships, awards and bursaries. They fund next-level research, help create new facilities to advance learning and discovery — and much more.
In the 2023-2024 Report on Giving, learn why these individuals believe in our University and hear from students who, with their help, are working to transform the future.
School of Public Health Sciences to host lecture on Australian child maltreatment study findings
A message from the School of Public Health Sciences.
Please join the School of Public Health Sciences for a free public lecture on ‘The Australian Child Maltreatment Study’ with visiting professor Dr. James Scott from the University of Queensland and Children’s Health Queensland. The study is a national survey that gauges the prevalence of all five forms of child maltreatment and their links to health and psychosocial issues. Scott will share findings and provide recommendations for public health interventions.
Scott is a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher and has been involved in several international initiatives in the field of child mental health, including the Lancet Commission for Medical Services in Ukraine, UNICEF Advisory on the Measurement of Mental Health among Adolescents and Global Burden of Disease Project. The lecture is supported by the Lyle S. Hallman Professorial Endowment.
For additional details or to register for the hybrid event on September 17 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., visit The Australian Child Maltreatment Study event page on the School of Public Health Sciences website.