Mental Break From Stressful Assignments and Interview Preparations

Biomedical Engineering Honours Co-op

There is freedom in music. “I remember back in January 2020 when COVID-19 just started to spread,” Zhuoyun began. “I was afraid, lonely, confused, and at times I felt utterly helpless. I was on co-op, and would practice my cello every day after work. It was like I could no longer feel all the mixed emotions when focusing on the techniques and dynamics of a certain piece—I felt free.  Music gives me a way to escape.”

Zhuoyun was first introduced to the cello when she was young, and as she got older, she discovered a knack for mathematics and engineering. In 2014, she left her home in China to live in Toronto, and when it came time to apply for university, she found that Biomedical Engineering at the University of Waterloo appealed to her interests. Due to co-op and having family in another country, Zhuoyun spent a lot of time moving from place to place. And because of this, she found it difficult to find a music group where she could continue to perform on her cello. “I was quite excited when I found out there was an orchestra here at UWaterloo,” Zhuoyun said. “It offered me a chance to keep playing, while bringing together a great group of like-minded people.” Since enrolling at Waterloo, Zhuoyun has played cello in the in-person orchestra@uwaterloo, and now the Integrated Online Instrumental Music Ensemble.

Life as a Biomedical Engineering co-op student is very busy for Zhuoyun, but she has come up with a variety of strategies to ensure time for ensembles and proper mental health. “I dedicate timeslots to practice and attend rehearsals, and make sure there are no conflicts with classes, meetings, or work,” she said. “And now that everything is online, it is a good idea to make the most out of the small chunks of time between zoom-linked classes. Practicing my cello in these pockets of time serves as a great way to take a mental break from stressful assignments and interview preparations.”

With her analytical mindset, Zhuoyun has a complex perspective on the connection between music and engineering. “I think humans perceive and respond emotionally to beauty in the same way, regardless of what the subject is,” Zhuoyun began. “Essentially, the joy one feels when marveling at the elegance of a mathematical proof is the same as when they hear Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7.” Zhuoyun also sees a more practical and ‘hands-on’ approach to relate the two subjects. “Engineering applications can be seen in a lot of music-related occasions. For instance, the design of a concert hall with good acoustics would involve a careful selection of materials, structures, and consideration of the shape which helps to determine the reverberation time.”

In addition to freedom, music provides a comforting community for Zhuoyun. In her program, she has classes with all the same people, but the orchestra@uwaterloo helped her meet people from outside her cohort. “We would chat during rehearsals, learn more about each other, and eventually become good friends,” she said with a smile.

With the move to virtual classes, COVID has made it very difficult to feel that same sense of community as before, especially through the practice of music. But despite the circumstances, Grebel music directors have put their hearts into keeping the community together and their music playing. “I’m so grateful for all the effort that the professors and music directors put in to get the online rehearsal running,” Zhuoyun said. “They are so dedicated and enthusiastic about making good music. Now I feel like we are not missing out on anything due to COVID.” Through all the stress of the pandemic, the Music Department has provided a comfortable and fun way for Zhuoyun to keep in touch with her friends and freedom.