Growing up with a passion for math, computer science, and all things STEM–but not willing to give up the people-facing side of finance–Joanna Liu arrived at Western with distinct interests that only a dual degree in computer science and business at Ivey could bring together. Joanna’s pre-HBA years were about striving for balance: saying yes to opportunities that piqued her interest, while slowly learning when it was necessary to say no. “You learn your values and what you can and can’t handle,” she said, noting that working hard early on paid off later by giving her the space to enjoy second year without feeling overwhelmed by academics and extracurriculars.
Finding that balance early on also shaped how she approached her academics. Coming from a computer science background, strong time management skills became Joanna’s biggest advantage. Scheduling everything in advance–especially assignment deadlines–and blocking out study windows on a calendar helped her stay on top of her commitments and maintain the grades she aimed for. In addition, Joanna was proactive when she knew that she might have a hard time with course content in a specific class. After hearing one of her first-year courses, Math 1600, was notoriously difficult, she spent the summer leading up to the school year studying the content in advance through Khan Academy, giving herself a foundation that made the transition into the semester smoother. This early discipline built a structure that she would grow to rely on throughout her life before HBA, creating a natural bridge to Ivey.
Despite the rigor of computer science, Joanna never lost sight of her interest in finance; instead, she intentionally carved out space to explore it. She developed her financial skillset through involvement with various business clubs on campus, including the Western Investment Club, where she took on leadership responsibilities and even led researcher meetings as an executive. She was quick to point out, however, that not everyone needs an executive title in any club to succeed. Mentorships programs, and even involvement within a club can be just as impactful, if not more, than the title of an executive. She also mentioned that the internships she completed during her AEO years provided her with valuable, real-world context to the career direction she was advancing in. Both her first- and second-year internships were in finance, primarily asset management, which provided hands-on experience that complemented her academic learning. These experiences allowed her to enter her HBA years with confidence and equipped her with the skills to thrive in a competitive academic environment.
When Joanna finally entered HBA1, everything shifted from the independent, self-directed pace of pre-HBA life to the structured framework that Ivey operates around. The close-knit nature of “sections” stood out immediately, a feature that Joanna found pleasantly welcoming. A section–roughly 80 students who take every class together–becomes a place where peers develop a sense of community that extends beyond the classroom. Each section has its own personality, from decorations and themes to executive teams that make a large cohort feel cohesive and lively. Furthermore, not only was the academic structure of learning different, the social culture at Ivey was also something that Joanna hadn’t experienced before.
“Expect to have a lot of fun,” she laughed, remarking that even with the early morning 8:00 a.m. classes and mandatory attendance, she is still easily able to enjoy herself. Her message is clear: for incoming AEO students, the environment at Ivey is something to look forward to, where there will be countless opportunities to create lasting memories.
Reflecting on her journey to Ivey, Joanna often thinks about the mindset she carried through her AEO years. She reflected that if she could redo any part of her pre-HBA years, it would be to lessen the pressure she placed on herself. “Don’t stress too much about the future–everything will work out,” she said, emphasizing that it is normal for things to go wrong. She reiterated that it is perfectly reasonable to panic when things don’t unfold as expected, but learning to turn that stress into action rather than spiraling was one of the biggest lessons she took from her AEO years. Moving on quickly instead of lingering on mistakes becomes a skill just as important as any technical or academic ability. This mindset, Joanna reflected, builds resilience and self-awareness that carries forward into every challenge, academic and beyond.
Looking back, the path to Ivey was shaped by consistent effort, as well as learning to stand up despite uncertainty and self-doubt. Joanna’s story is a reminder that earning a place at Ivey is as much about building good habits and understanding yourself as it is about academics or extracurricular involvement. With the right mindset and a sense of balance between work and social life, your pre-HBA years can set the foundation for a meaningful and fun undergraduate experience. The bottom line of Joanna’s journey to HBA is that when challenges are approached with authenticity, each step, whether smooth or difficult, moves students closer to where they’ve set their targets.