Sometimes making our career defining moments can be difficult. As undergrads and aspiring students, it is important to take some time and really savour the moments you share.
I'm writing to you to talk about one of your career defining moments which is taking that next step into post-secondary education with some advice from me as I was in your shoes last year pondering about what to do. My experience at the DECA LDA conference was enlightening because I was able to reminisce at all the aspiring students who took the initiative to attend the event. At the LDA conference you get a taste of what it feels like to live a life as an AFM student at the University of Waterloo. This experience taught me the importance of asking questions about post-secondary education, and to start thinking about building your network as early as grade 12. One thing I noticed at the event is how eager students were to ask questions. Even during the fun events, people took time out of their day to ask us questions, which is something that really stuck with me. This eagerness to learn will be useful going into co-op and the workforce as we are constantly working and need to learn on the job through asking other professionals.
If I could go back and tell my grade 12 self something it would be to live in the moment. Students frequently get lost in what to do next and they end up not having any time for themselves or not living in the present. Although it is important to continue working hard to get good marks, like Kawhi Leonard says, “it’s important to be present in the moment.”