Program: 3A Actuarial Science with the Finance Option
Past
co-op
position:
Analyst,
Royal
Bank
of
Canada,
Toronto
Hometown: Markham, ON
Extracurriculars: UW Language and Culture Exchange Club, reading and swimming
Why did I choose to study at Waterloo?
Among many reasons, I mainly chose to study at Waterloo because of their distinct Math faculty and for their well-known co-op program. Waterloo’s Faculty of Mathematics is a very unique differentiator and only shows how dedicated the university and its professors are to the subject. Being in Waterloo’s co-op program provides a good balance between studying at school and real world experience. It’s great to study in an environment where so many other students appreciate the different applications of math and understand that there is more to math than just calculus in high school!
What class is your favorite so far?
I think there are positives and negatives to any class. Some of the classes that I didn’t think I would enjoy but do are my computer science courses. I enjoyed learning something completely new to me in first year and working through the many challenging assignments. There were definitely some long and frustrating nights but it was satisfying to finally reach the end goal. I liked it so much that I am planning to minor in computer science as well.
Advice for first-year students
My advice to all incoming students is to make the most of your university experience. This is the time to take on new challenges and try things you never expected yourself to do. Join clubs that interest you and take the time to meet new people. Make a balance between school work and the activities that you enjoy doing. Your studies are definitely important, but finding that balance will make you feel happier and more satisfied with what you are learning, both in and out of the classroom.