08/31/2017
Hey everyone! Orientation is only 3 DAYS AWAY!!! We’re so excited we can barely handle it!! We want to get to know you as soon as we can, so we thought we’d let you get to know us first, as a bit of a compromise, so meet the ! Today meet two of our leaders, Omar and Shadman!
Shadman (Left) Omar (Right)
Omar Quazi
Year of Study: 2
From: Scarborough, Canada
Program of Study: Computer Science
I really love the people at St. Mikes; the students are really nice and the administration is great. Compared to other colleges, I’ve found that people here are super friendly. During Orientation, everyone was extremely helpful: pointing out directions, giving me advice on which courses to take and how to manage my course load, communicating with TA’s and profs, etc. Without help from staff and older students, there are a lot of things I would have had to pick up on my own , especially if I hadn’t come to Orientation. The community here is really amazing.”
“I think its important to get involved because U of T is filled with so many different colleges and students and faculty that sometimes it’s hard to find your place on campus. You have to make the effort to build connections, and I’ve found that when I walk around St. Mikes and see other USMC students and we start talking because of our mutual ties to the college that its a good base for building those connections. It’s important to get involved and get to know those other students around you so that we can all be a part of a tighter community.”
“I loved the bed races competition during my Orientation week. There was so much energy and excitement during the event, and it’s awesome that St. Mikes has been the dominating college in the race for so many years. Being apart of the event is what led to me wanting to be a leader next year. The introduction I received to St. Mikes and U of T in general, through my orientation leaders, was extremely helpful, and I want to be able to give that experience to future students and offer them advice too. I know personally I was very nervous about asking ‘stupid’ questions in my group, and there was even more that I wished I could have found out during that week, and I hope when I’m a leader I’ll be able to make students feel comfortable enough that they feel like they can ask all those questions without being embarrassed. I also love that when I see my leaders on campus, we say hi to each other and still have that close connection; you make friends in with people in different years, and it’s really cool that those friendships stick.”
“I would say definitely go to classes and then of course, attend Orientation. You can meet so many new, interesting people and I know it’s nerve-wracking to introduce yourself, but you have to remember everyone else is nervous too; you have to just approach them, and talk to them and be willing to put yourself out there so you can make friends. It makes your University experience so much better because then you have people to study with, and eat with and who will go to events on campus with you.
Name: Shadman Aziz
Year of Study: 2
From: Toronto, Canada
Program of Study: Computer Science specialist, stats / cog sci major (not sure yet)
Fun fact: I actually wasted my entire summer of this year trying to get into my program
1. Why did you choose to come to the University of Toronto?
"The main factors that drew me to uoft were it's prestige and location. The campus is right at the heart of Toronto, surrounded by fascinating places such as the ROM. Not to mention the buildings and the history of the university itself. The old school look to many of the buildings are a sight to behold. In the words of my friend "it is the hogwarts of Canada"
2. What is your favorite thing about U of T?
“The sheer number and variety of people you find at Uoft is by far my most favourite thing. The numerous clubs and councils, several unique colleges and even the difference in architecture between the buildings themselves make for a complete university experience not quite rivalled by most other universities .”
3. What is your favorite thing about St. Mikes?
“My favourite thing about St Mikes has to be its people and the atmosphere; the students are really nice and the administration is great. Compared to other colleges, the people here are much more welcoming and friendly. During Orientation, everyone was quick to give me pointers on how to adjust to uni life better and how to succeed at uoft and for that I will be forever grateful.
4. Why do you think it’s important for people to get involved with their college?
" Most commuters barely get involved in any university related activities let alone getting involved with their colleges. However, philosophy is different. I feel that your college provides you with a sense of belonging, and participating in college events is the best way to meet people from your college, helping to make your college more of a second home to you in campus."
5. What is your favorite memory from St Mikes Orientation?
My favourite part of orientation has to be when my orientation leaders gave us a tour of the entire campus. It was my first time seeing a university of this scale. After having a tour of ryerson no more than a week prior, you can imagine the shock I was in after seeing the size of our campus. I fell in love with Uoft instantaneously.
6. What is one piece of advice you have for 1st years at St Mikes?
“Focus on making friends starting orientation week. This is crucial since otherwise you will not have many people that you know when classes start, which will make you unwilling to sit through class, make you less efficient in assignments and projects and life in university just less of a fan as a whole. The friends you make at orientation have the potential to be your friends for the rest of uni life, so take advantage of that.
7. What do you hope to accomplish during the rest of your time at St. Mikes and/or U of T?
“My goal for the next 3 years is basically to get involved with the St mikes community as much as possible, including possibly being an orientation marshal at some point. I also want to do as many internships as possible to bolster my resume before leaving uoft. I am also interested in running for a UTSU position sometime in the future, but of course time will tell how successful that will turn out to be.
