a little about me | adjusting to university life | advice for students | my life as a symphony | my spirituality
A Little About Me:
I value people a lot... so I've begun taking the initiative to get to know all types of different people. Everyone has a story to share and each one is remarkable in itself.
Although most people would describe me as an extrovert, I can have a blast hanging out by myself, reading good books, going for hikes, sea kayaking and camping. It was cool when my dad encouraged me to embark on a 2500 km bicycle tour through the Eastern States when I was 15.
To me, being yourself means holding on to things you value, even when that means going against the grain.
Something I love doing in my spare time is playing drums with my band. I learned to play drums by banging on Quality Street tin cans. Then I realized I could play drums anytime, anywhere by simply banging on my chest. Eventually, I broke down and actually bought a drum set.
My dream is to tour and promote a CD nationally with my band.
My purpose is to live life to the fullest by having a real, personal relationship with God and trust him daily to make my life an incredible journey.
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Adjusting to University Life:
Finding my place socially was hard in university. It took some time to meet people, to learn to be outgoing with all types of people and realize that it was all right to be an individual.
In the last two years of my degree, I became president of a campus club and got to know a ton of people from all over the world.
Over time, I've learned a lot about being an individual regardless of what others think. I've become more honest with myself and with others about what my values are.
Being in control was the best part about university. No one was there prodding me to go to class or complete assignments. I called the shots and I was responsible for my performance.
I've learned that I'm lucky to live in a free country with somewhat affordable, but quality education, even in my home city.
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Advice for Commerce/Business Students:
The best thing about my major is that there are lots of opportunities to do presentations and be involved in stimulating group work. The presentations were challenging; they taught me a lot about effective communication. The group work was a blast as I got to meet other students and learn to have fun while going for the A+.
If you want to make it and do well in this faculty, you need a self-monitoring personality, confidence, consistency, perseverance, and an ability to get along with others in a team setting.
Be prepared for challenges. Learning to work cooperatively with others and to be critical of yourself is tough. Have a positive attitude and be willing to change, even when it feels unnatural or difficult.
Don't try to freeload by hanging off others in your classes or loafing in group work. You'll quickly gain a bad reputation and no one will want you in their group. Plus, even if you graduate, you'll do so with brutal marks and you'll realize rapidly that the real world doesn't tolerate loafers.
Ok, final tip on school: If you want the big marks, you gotta sweet talk the teachers. Pay them off with personality. Take some time to hang out in their office or at least talk to them after class. Trust me, they'll remember you. You'll get better marks, great business advice, and valuable future references.
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My Life as a Symphony:
If my life were expressed in music, it would be a classical piece, one by Handel or Tchaikovsky. It'd represent my life journey through various experiences and spark diverse emotions with each movement.
The symphony would be divided into different segments with the first, childhood, being soothing, peaceful, and pastoral.
The early teen years would be the second movement with a faster tempo, the jolt of the horn section and the driving tones of the strings.
The third movement, my mid-late teens, would have melancholic undertones dominated by moody strings and the harp, though freshened with bright moments as well.
Finally, the fourth movement, my university years, would be triumphant and jovial, colorful and passionate. It'd paint a portrait of self-discovery and enlightenment. There would be a mounting anticipation of great and beautiful things to come. Of course, there'd be a Van Halen guitar solo throughout the whole thing.
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How Mark gained better self-confidence...
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