The unknown holds very different meanings for different people. A year ago, I made the decision to embrace the unknown world of computer science; it is the reason I am now pursuing a degree I only ever thought the male sitting next to me could.
Untapped possibilities are yours to explore.
Rather than limiting yourself to what you are comfortable with, it can be eye-opening to take off your rose-coloured glasses and explore new possibilities. Since high school, I had always been set on becoming a doctor because I admired the sought-after benefits and prestige that a medical career entailed. However, a month past the recommended OUAC application deadline, a curiosity for coding prompted me to apply for computer science at Western.
I am grateful I never felt pressured by the expectation to know exactly what I wanted to pursue. It helps immensely to sit down and create a mind map in any form, weighing your interests, the practical implications of different career possibilities, and how your university studies can help you get there. By embracing the unknown, whether it be before or after you have entered university, you will be able to explore options you might have never considered. All in all, do not be afraid to enter a program where you have little experience, but rather, trust your gut feeling and follow the light where your sparks of interest illuminate. For me, that meant accepting my Western Computer Science offer and AEO status, as the 2+2 model offered by Ivey HBA would have allowed me to explore multiple possibilities.
Dive head first, but not without your scuba gear.
After making my program decision, I turned to online resources for support to prepare myself for university in any way I could. Specifically, I actively sought after learning about the changes in technology and business through platforms such as Tech Crunch and Robinhood Snacks. With that said, if you feel unprepared for your university studies, it helps immensely to be proactive in acquiring general knowledge about the industry you want to enter.
I also began to take Python programming courses on DataQuest and found that learning the applications of Python in data science allowed me to appreciate the utility of the language. Two months later, I explored the front-end HTML/CSS languages through FreeCodeCamp. For beginners, getting started on coding is daunting, but there is a large and diverse computer science community that will foster your learning in unimaginable ways. I suggest signing up for a couple of websites to determine the teaching style and structure that makes the most sense to you. No matter what you are seeking to learn, do not undermine the power of the online resources, digitized platforms, and organization workshops available as well as advice from mentors and professors, when preparing for seemingly impossible academic challenges.
Learning and success follows a personal timeline.
Once I entered university, uncertainty still consumed my thoughts as I sat down for my first university lecture. As a female pursuing computer science, the lack of representation in the field only amplified my feelings of imposter syndrome – feeling as if I lacked the necessary qualities to fit in, much less succeed in my environment. Soon enough, I met many who were in the same situation I was. I found that there is no such thing as learning a subject “late,” but rather learning it at a time that fits in the timeline of your academic journey.
At Western, you will find kind, down-to-earth upper year students who will gladly share advice and their experiences with you to not only help make the transition into university easier, but embolden you to trailblaze your own path. The countless mentorship programs, club leadership roles, and business competitions and hackathons offered have helped me greatly in exploring career possibilities in business and developing meaningful tech projects. When you begin school at Western, those same opportunities, and more, will be waiting for you – no matter which field you wish to pursue.