Written by Clare (she/her), student
I chose the University of Waterloo because I wanted to study math, and I believed that Waterloo was (and still is!) the best school in Canada for math, simple as that. What I wasn’t really expecting was to fall in love with the new community I found myself in.
A bumpy start
As many people do, I found myself on my first day in my new residence questioning my decisions. I wondered if I was even cut out for university, if I made the right choice, if I put enough research into my decisions.
I worried that my high school friends would forget all about me. I was concerned about studying math. Would I just be staring at numbers for five years straight? Would I hate it?
Looking back
Nearly two years later, I can look back on my first day and smile. I can remember meeting my now-roommates and friends for the first time, soon after that first day. I look forward to calling my high school friends now and telling them about all my new adventures and hearing their news.
I can go to club meetings and think about how I am exploring passions I didn’t even know I had, and making friends from places I had never even heard of. In high school, I found it was common for people to complain about math class, rather than speak of enjoying it. For this reason, although I liked math in high school, I wasn't able to appreciate it like I do at university.
Since there's an entire faculty devoted to math at Waterloo (the only one in North America!), I find there isn't any of the same negative culture surrounding math that's often present in high school.
I like the fun events that the Faculty of Mathematics puts on. There are board game nights that are very popular — on a few occasions I've unknowingly walked into one and witnessed friends excited over a piece of cardboard on the table.
Also, my two favourite days on campus are Pi Day (March 14), where pie is served, and Pi Approximation Day (July 22nd, get it?) where you can grab a slice of cake in the MC building.
Waterloo gave me the chance to discover and learn new things and meet people that share the same passions as I do. It's a whole world of possibilities.
Where am I now?
Now that it’s been almost three years since I submitted my application to Math at Waterloo, I can thank myself for making the right choice. I enjoy learning more about math than I ever thought possible, and studying with my math-minded peers.
I am excited to learn more about the endless world of mathematics, and do it with friends by my side.
Related articles
How to choose a program in the Faculty of Mathematics
There are generally two types of students interested in studying math at Waterloo. No matter which major you choose, it’s about more than being good at math. It’s also critical that you genuinely enjoy it. The good news is that no matter what you’re interested in pursuing or where you are in the process of deciding, we are here to help.
What's the best way to prepare for first-year math?
Are you gearing up for your first year of math? Discover the value of residence tutoring, the power of study groups, and why engaging with your professors can make all the difference. Ready to conquer your first year? Dive into this comprehensive guide to get prepared and stay ahead!
University math vs. high school math
There are quite a few differences between studying math in high school and university. Studying math in university allows for a much more in-depth understanding of mathematics than high school. You will have the opportunity to learn about math fields that you might not even know exist!