Welcome to Waterloo!! Congratulations on choosing the University of Waterloo to help build your future over the next 5 years. It is now up to you, however, to build your education. UW President David Johnston said, “It is my hope that your studies won’t get in the way of your education”. He was referring to the skills, people, and new experiences that you encounter by getting involved outside your classrooms.
Perhaps like many of you today, I had chosen this University without knowing anyone attending it. The prospects of having to re-establish friendships and basically start from scratch were my Everest. Usual concerns such as acceptance, multiculturalism, and stereotypes were always on replay. I was surprised, however, to see these concerns decrease as I met new students and staff. The more involved I became within student life and various clubs and organizations on campus, the easier the transition into University became. You start to look up to certain individuals and aspire to be something like them. You also begin to set goals in mind for your remaining years and before you know it, you’re hooked on extra-curricular activities. Putting that aside, it is also remarkable what others can teach you about yourself! Your fellow students will show you dedication, pride, and love for life at its finest, and best of all, they will always give you a laugh when you most need it.
Getting involved is also a great way to keep busy and build your soft skills. Engineering is definitely a challenging program, and a positive, constructive distraction will help you focused. Having a non-academic task will give you something to look forward to once your assignments, midterms, and finals are done. You may also find yourself adding many lines to your résumé. Many times you will find a potential employer more interested in discussing your activities and interests, than your technical skills. You may also find that you are able to speak more confidently and passionately about what you do and why you do it, which will always leave a good impression.
Curious yet? Well, here is a mix of activities that I have been involved in or my friends have shared with me over my 4 year stay: Warrior Weekends, intra-mural sports (i.e. Dodgeball, Ultimate, Soccer), Orientation Week, charitable organizations (i.e. Food Bank), becoming a Don, Directorships within the Engineering Society, Salsa Club, Residence Tour Guide, Student Life 101, Fall Open House, the Iron Warrior, Engineering Student Teams (i.e. UWAFT, Midnight Sun, Concrete Toboggan), Undergraduate Research Assistants and the Space Society.
What is listed above is a very small fraction of what you can get involved in. The most important thing to keep in mind is that if you have a passion, don’t lose it. If you want to make change, then go for it. If you want to be a leader, then you have to take risks. But however you choose to get involved, make sure it makes you happy!!
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