Domenique Barbaro
Honors Health Science, Wilfrid Laurier University

So far are you happy with the University and program you’ve chosen and what are you enjoying most?
I am extremely satisfied with my decision to attend Wilfrid Laurier University for the Honours Health Science Co-op Program. Laurier is a small University with a very strong and tight-knit community. These qualities often remind me of Del and the rich and diverse community it had and continues to have for its students. Since Laurier shares the same emphasis on community that I was accustomed to through my time at Del, Laurier has quickly become a comforting and welcoming new home.

The best thing about Laurier is that there is a genuine balance between extracurricular experiences and academics. I believe that it’s important to always maintain a balanced lifestyle, and my new experiences at Laurier thus far have proved that it aids me in fulfilling that. In 2016 Laurier was rated #1 in Student Satisfaction by Maclean’s, which is a title I couldn’t clearly understand until I completely immersed myself in the incredible community Laurier has to offer. Being able to meet so many amazing people, be a part of incredible things in the Laurier community, and have so many opportunities at my reach is so beneficial in keeping a well-rounded lifestyle while I am trying to achieve a degree.

Aside from academics, what have you learned about being in University?
Being in University has taught me to be self-motivated and to work hard for my academic goals by time managing and organizing daily extracurricular and academic schedules for a well-rounded lifestyle. It is quite the adjustment to be put in such a self-run academic lifestyle, however Del prepared me extremely well and challenged me in order to ensure I was ready to withstand the pressures and stress that accompanies the transition between High School and University.

How well do you think Del prepared you for University?
Coming into University and more specifically a Health Sciences program is a serious academic and social adjustment. Del prepared me in many ways for this experience and made the transition smooth and successful. Socially, Del taught me how crucial having a sense of community is and once I got to Laurier, community was as much of a priority to me as my academics were. This idea allowed me to meet so many people and encounter so many opportunities. For example, House Council at Del and the entire Student Executive and Teacher moderators had a lasting impact on my love for becoming involved with my school and I am now a Community Representative on my Residence House Council and am the First Year Representative of the Laurier Biology Association. In terms of academics, attending Del and studying the Sciences at Del in particular truly prepared me immensely. Mr. Sourial’s Calculus, Mr.Gekas’ Chemistry and Mr. Vlahovic’s Biology all provided me with extensive and valuable knowledge and problem solving skills that are making first year an enjoyable and stress-free academic experience. As a whole, Del’s administration and entire faculty work so hard to prepare their students and my gratitude towards all their hard work cannot be described in words.

How are you continuing to live the Lasallian Mission since graduation?
The Lasallian mission to become educated and use that knowledge as power for the betterment of others and society (Enter to Learn and Leave to Serve) is an active notion in my mind on a daily basis. De La Salle taught me the value of knowledge and education, but most importantly it taught me that it is what you do with that knowledge and how you use your knowledge to benefit others that is remarkable and a true gift in itself. In university I work hard to use the knowledge I gain in my classes and use the experiences and knowledge I gained from Del to provide to the community and world that surrounds me.

What advice would you give Del students preparing for University?
To Del’s current Grade 12 Students: Study what you love. It’s the most important advice that can be given to you when choosing a University. In the long run, choosing a school because it has a “pretty campus” or because it’s considered “the best and most popular” or because all your friends are going there are not necessary or beneficial reasons. Choosing a University is a very personal and important decision and you should choose to pursue something you really love to study. University is extremely enjoyable when you are studying what you love each day, and even though the decision is hard and stressful right now, once you get to the place you are meant to be all the work you have done will be worth it. Believe in yourselves and I wish you the best of luck wherever you may be!

 

Anthony Bozzo
Lassonde School of Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto

So far are you happy with the University and program you’ve chosen and what are you enjoying most?
Am I happy with the program that I chose? Definitely. Without a doubt, University of Toronto is the place to be for engineering. Although Mineral Engineering was not listed as my first choice for UofT, I've always had an interest in geography and business, and both of these subjects are big parts of Mineral Engineering. At first my mindset was that I would just do my first year in Mining and then switch to Civil or Industrial engineering at the beginning of second year; however, as I did more research into the industry, looked into the jobs and what they consisted of, talked to professors and people within the program, and looked into the courses that I would be taking throughout my undergrad, I found myself becoming more and more intrigued with what Mineral Engineering had to offer. What I’ve realized from all of this is that sometimes it takes time to figure out what you really want to do during your undergraduate degree. Honestly, an engineering degree is an engineering degree, especially one from the University of Toronto. I remember it being stressful for me to decide what I wanted to do in my undergrad, but now I see that it doesn't really matter. All in all, when it comes to the decision I made to come to U of T I couldn't be happier. Commuting isn't actually as bad as everyone says it is (especially when you're used to taking the Woodbridge bus every morning), and with all the stress that this program puts on an individual, it's really nice to come home to your family and a nice warm meal in the comfort of your own home at the end of the day. As for the workload and the 30 hours of class a week, I don't think there is a single person in engineering who would say they are happy about that, but that's another story.

Aside from academics, what have you learned about being in University?
Coming from such a communal and "second home" school of 600 people like De La Salle, you quickly learn that University is not what you're used to at all. This is not necessarily a bad thing, this allows you to meet so many different people and make so many awesome new friendships, but it’s definitely a big adjustment. Being in engineering is a commitment, it's a lifestyle, it literally becomes your entire life. All, and I mean ALL, previous commitments take a back seat because of how much time is required for you to put in in order to succeed.

How well do you think Del prepared you for University?
Did Del prepare me for University? I guess so. I mean Del definitely prepares all of its students exceptionally well for UNIVERSITY, but I think that engineering is a totally different story. Although there's not much any high school can really do to prepare a student for this program, De La Salle without a doubt gives its graduates an edge in post-secondary school education, both academically and socially. It's funny because Grade 12s taking Mr. Sourial’s Calculus class complain like crazy now, just wait until first year engineering or business when you've already learned basically all of the material covered and are top of your class. Seriously, I owe that man a hug. And believe me, you'll thank him later as well. Mr. Rizzuto's Grade 12 International Business class teaches you how to stand in front of a group of people and talk professionally and properly while being extremely comfortable. In my program, first year students have to do these major presentations second semester and everyone is super nervous, but I know it’s something I've done before and am prepared for, and I have Del, and more specifically Mr. Rizzuto, to thank for that. After a rough Grade 11 Physics class, Ms. Lamonaca-Bada had a lot on her plate when it came to teaching my Gr. 12 class because she basically had to re-teach my class grade eleven physics plus important grade twelve physics concepts that we would need for university. The year was an all out grind for her, my classmates, and I to cover so much material in so little time but we did it. I owe it to Ms. LB for teaching me the lesson that "hard work pays off" and you get out what you put in. It's a lesson I have continuously told myself over and over and it has helped me get through first semester. In Mr. Gekas' Grade 11 and 12 Chemistry classes he taught us that no matter how complex the problem, you have to break it down and take it step-by-step using what you have learned until you find what you are looking for: a lesson that goes a long way in anything, especially engineering. Mr. Pede was teaching us black holes as early as Grade 9 Science and always went beyond the curriculum to help further prepare us for what was ahead. As a Del Alumni, he would sometimes lecture us about how we had it so easy at Del, yet we would constantly complain and be lazy, and at the time I didn't really understand. However, once I took my first step into engineering I knew exactly what he was talking about and I kick myself for taking how good we really had it at Del for granted. I’ve got to thank Mr. Pede for opening my eyes in advance and teaching me the lesson that when you have a job to do just get it done and don't complain; Again, hard work is necessary for success. I could honestly talk about my teachers forever because I wouldn't be where I am without their guidance and teachings, so I thank all of them with all my heart.

What advice would you give Del students preparing for University?
From the perspective of a U of T engineering student, because I know that not every program is like engineering, this first semester was the hardest three and a half months of my entire life. Engineering works you to the bone, and I have never worked as hard as I did during first semester. You are sleep deprived, depressed, stressed out, anxious, your social life goes down the drain, and you barely get to see your family, but you keep going because you have to and it’s your life now. It’s a grind of blood, sweat and tears (mostly tears), and the university doesn't care how you feel. They want to see how far they can push you and how dedicated you truly are, it’s a life test really. From your past experience you know that if you put your heart into something and work hard you will get the result you want and succeed in the end, but U of T Engineering isn't like that. Despite the hours upon hours you have put in to whatever you are doing, the program will continuously find ways to knock you down. You get up, and you get knocked down again, and again, and again, and all you can do is get up, dust yourself off, and try again. Deep down it will hurt, believe me, there were many times where I felt like quitting, but my parents, family, and teachers voices in my head told me to keep going, and I'm so glad I did. Here I am starting second semester with my head held high feeling like a million bucks ready to do it again. Because really what it is, is a preparation for life, life's going to knock you down, but all you can do is get back up and keep fighting. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but it's the truth and it's not meant to scare you. Believe me, if I can do it you for sure can. Anybody going into engineering knows that it's going to take a tremendous amount of work, dedication and resilience. Del has prepared you better than ever and you're ready to go, just believe in yourself and never give up. The most important advice I can offer the Grade 12s is to enjoy your remaining time at Del. I know it is stressful going into midterms but trust me you will miss it so much. There will be nothing that matches the friendships and bonds you made over your time there, and if you are anything like me you will miss it tremendously. Don't take it for granted, cherish it until the very end.

 

Anthony Cundari
Chemical Engineering, Ryerson University

So far are you happy with the University and program you’ve chosen and what are you enjoying most?
So far I am very happy with my school and program. Although I haven't had too much exposure to my specific discipline of engineering (chemical), so far the engineering community as well as going to school in downtown Toronto are both environments that I have been really enjoying being a part of. Although my course load is heavier than most other programs, the topics I am learning about are all ones that I find interesting, which makes my studying a lot more enjoyable.

From my experience, the Ryerson engineering community is unlike any other I have seen on campus. They are all very friendly and helpful and really have a "we are in this together" mentality, which is something that you don't always come by in such intense and competitive University programs. We are also a very “loud and proud” community with a lot of opportunities outside of our classes to interact with each other with the multitude of student groups and activities that are present on campus. As I mentioned above, another thing that makes my time really enjoyable is that I am able to learn about the things that I want to learn about, which makes me much more eager and excited about my classes.

Aside from academics, what have you learned about being in University?
Being on your own in downtown Toronto comes with its own set of challenges and lessons for you to learn (especially when you grew up outside of the city.) Being able to walk off campus and basically have everything you need within a 5-minute walk (food, entertainment, shopping, etc...) teaches you how to be responsible with your time and money. But most importantly, university reminded me of the importance of having social skills. Being able to make connections with others, be it your professors, TA's, or peers, is the most important skill of a university student and is one that will continue to be equally as important as you go on in life.

How well do you think Del prepared you for University?
I believe Del prepared me extremely well for university, academically (particularly in Chemistry, Calculus, and Physics). However, having attended Del since Grade 7 and being a part of a small school community where you know most of the students and staff, and then suddenly being thrown into a massive pool of 1500 students in lecture halls with hundreds of seats came as a shock at first. This is something that many high school students face when entering university and is not at the fault of Del but it is still something students should keep in mind as they prepare to move from Del to University, as it was an adjustment that I had to make.

How are you continuing to live the Lasallian Mission since graduation?
Although I have not done anything major that would stand out as a Lasallian act, I have instead been doing the little things. Giving what I can to the homeless, helping people with heavy bags as they struggle to make their way through a crowded street; having a TTC driver wait a few more seconds for the person running down the street. In short I've just been doing little things in an attempt to make some people's day just a little bit better.

What advice would you give Del students preparing for University?
The biggest advice I could give to any Del student, but particularly the Grade 12s, is to just keep your head in the moment. Try not to get too caught up in meeting certain mark cut offs and instead just take Grade 12 one day at a time, enjoy it while it lasts, and focus on the work they have in front of them. At the end of the day, the only thing they can do now that will affect their acceptances in the future is exactly that; the work they have in front of them.

 

Laura Holman
Kinesiology, University of Toronto

So far are you happy with the University and program you’ve chosen and what are you enjoying most?
Yes, I am thrilled with my choice of university and program! The material I am learning is exactly what I'm interested in which is very exciting for me. The Kinesiology program at the University of Toronto specifically is really cool because I get to experience a lot of the diversity of downtown Toronto, and it’s easy to get involved within the small tight-knit faculty of Kinesiology at U of T.

What I like best about my program and University experience would be the access I have to so many resources on campus. Even though I live at home, I find myself spending a lot of time on campus to experience involvement in clubs, using their brand new fitness centers, and playing intramurals.

How well do you think Del prepared you for University?
I think Del prepared me well for the amount of work I receive in university. It seems to pile up at times, but I have found it easier to manage than a lot of my friends because I believe Del helped me to develop my time management skills. Also, in terms of content, Biology with Mr. Vlahovic and Exercise Science with Mr. Tulshi were extremely helpful for me. A lot of what I learned first term was review for me and without that background I probably would not have done as well as I did.

What advice would you give Del students preparing for University?
Advice I would give to students at Del would be to involve yourself in as much as you can, it’s easier to make new friends that way. Also, work on your time management skills since they need to be top notch for navigating all the work and content you receive at university. Exams are much less stressful when you start studying early!

 

Kathryn Manarin
Business Administration, Wilfred Laurier University

So far are you happy with the University and program you’ve chosen and what are you enjoying most?
I couldn’t be happier! Laurier was definitely the best choice for me as it is a small University, much like how Del is a small high school. I prefer a smaller community. Although I didn’t play varsity sports first year, I could continue playing the sports I love through intramurals since they offer so many different sports! Work wise, I love the business program and the new business building is fantastic. I couldn’t ask for a better fit as everyone in the program is very welcoming and genuine.

The thing I enjoy the most about my program is the people. Business is a very social program, always having networking events available and clubs to meet new people. Yes, the program is competitive, but that is how Del was as well. I couldn’t ask for a better experience and I strongly recommend Laurier.

How well do you think Del prepared you for University?
Del has prepared me for University better than I believe any other high school could have. Mr. Sourial’s Grade 12 Calculus is almost identical to my first-year Calculus, give or take a few concepts. Other courses like Economics and Accounting were review for the first two months, but then covered new concepts. Socially, everyone at Del knew each other. University is the complete opposite. It was a change having to meet new friends when I was used to having the same people around me for six years. However, because of the clubs and sports teams Del offered, I had experiences from those on how to interact with new people, allowing me to make friends with lots of different and new people.

What advice would you give Del students preparing for University?
Work hard! The work load that Del puts you through now will prepare you for the workload in University. However, in University, the pace is quicker, there is always more work to be done, and there is more work to be completed! My advice to you is to make as many new friends as possible in orientation week, because after that, everyone starts creating their own friend groups. University is a lot different from high school, but I love it, and not just because I live on my own!