Years of study, hard work, headaches and triumphs have culminated in 1,298 students completing a math degree from the University of Waterloo. We offer sincere congratulations to all math students convocating.
To help commemorate the occasion, we took a trip down memory lane with Kyle Adams, one of this year’s math grads, who shared the twists, turns and highlights of his academic journey.
For Kyle, there was no question about where he should study math. As he put it, “Where else but Waterloo?”
Student ambassador Kyle Adams (BMath '21) in a Faculty of Mathematics emblazoned jacket with signature pink tie.
Kyle was among the top in his high school class, and he carried his passion forward into university. His time at university was all about discovery: discovering strengths, weaknesses and interests. After arriving at Waterloo, Kyle had two transformational realizations. The first was that he wasn’t as good in math as he thought, and the second was that math was far more interesting than he imagined.
About three weeks into his degree program, math became more than calculus and algebra – it offered insights that applied to all aspects of life. For Kyle, it was a discipline that was so broad and so deep that he found himself totally immersed.
That is part of the reason why he is continuing his education with a Master’s in Philosophy, bringing a mathematical perspective to questions of human understanding.
Of course, pursuing a Waterloo math degree had its share of challenges. It required dedication and hard work. There were deadlines and stress.
But as Kyle puts it, “in the shared adversity, you find fellowship. Everyone’s going through the same thing and pulling their hair out during exams, so you have a good support network.”
From representing Waterloo as a student ambassador, to marking Euclid tests, to the invaluable co-op placements, Kyle says he will never forget these rewarding experiences as he prepares for the future.
“At this point, I feel like the world is my oyster and I’m looking forward to what comes next with optimism,” he says.
As our graduating students say goodbye to Waterloo, we hope they too are looking forward to the future with optimism and thinking back on their time here with pride.
Now is a wonderful time to join the community of University of Waterloo Alumni. Students who are ready for their next challenge, can check out the many graduate programs on offer through the Waterloo website.
