Helping the Class of 2025 with their transition to university

Hello incoming students!

My name is Jared, and I am going into my second year in the Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) program at Waterloo. This summer, I decided to be a peer mentor for the Waterloo Ready program. You may have taken part in it, but if you didn’t, Waterloo Ready is a new initiative by the university to help incoming students with their transition to university.

I wanted to be a peer mentor because I was really nervous going into my first year. I was confused about a lot of things, and I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. So, when I heard that Waterloo was running a program in the summer to help prepare you all for that big step in your life, I thought that I should help. I had many upper year students help make my transition to university easier, and I hoped that I could do the same for you as the Class of 2025.

Talking to you all made me realize how much changes in a year. It is hard to believe that just last year, I was in your position, and, now, I am the one who’s knowledgeable and supposed to have all of the answers. It was a little bit surreal hearing you ask the same questions that I had, except this time, I was the one answering.

I’m telling you this because the first year is tough for a lot of people, and, because of COVID-19, this year is going to have a whole new set of challenges. This term is going to be very different, especially for you all because it is your first year of university. I hope that I was able to help ease some of your concerns through Waterloo Ready, nevertheless, there are still going to be obstacles, but you’ll figure it out. While there may be a few bumps in the road, everything will work out in the end.