Life science programs at the University of Toronto are among the largest and most competitive programs in Canada. They focus on the science of life and living organisms and offer majors such as human biology, biochemistry, environmental biology, and psychology. Most of these programs demand the same first- and second-year courses such as inorganic and organic chemistry, cell and molecular biology, calculus, and physics. My less academically-inclined friends are always amazed at my neuroscience background — if only they knew what I’ve been through!
BERNARDA GOSPIC/THE VARSITY
Entering first year as the young and eager idealist that I was, I had no idea what to expect for those first few months. Telling friends (that had opted for the life science programs at Western, Queen’s, and Mac) that I would be going to U of T raised a few eyebrows. I had received early admission and a reasonable scholarship to attend, and like most 18-year-olds, I had an unwavering confidence about my future. But like most 18-year-olds, I had no idea I was exactly like most 18-year-olds. I now sat beside rows of students who had also received early admission — and even larger scholarships — and had even traveled across the world to study at this elite institution. First year in life science is known to be brutal. Most course averages are between the C- to C+. Adapting quickly to the high standards of this academic environment is crucial for survival. I took cues from other students on how much I should be studying; on many days, it would be for over six hours. I didn’t know about the importance of past tests and services like the Toronto University Student Book Exchange (TUSBE) until a few months in, wasting time and money I didn’t have. Your first year timetable pretty much looks like a brick wall — block after block of class, tutorials, and labs. Worst of all, you’re not even legal and can’t drown the pain and exhaustion.
It would be a lie to say that courses get easier down the road because that’s only sometimes the case. What really happens is that you get better. You get smarter, braver, and stronger. Balancing a social life, extracurricular groups, internships, research, fitness, and volunteering requires immutable perseverance. It demands intense focus and losing hours of sleep. But it’s possible and so worth it.
The long nights still happen. I never have as much free time as I’d like as a 21 -year-old. But the feeling of working towards something much greater, whatever that goal may be, makes the experience bearable, and to some degree, enjoyable. This university has pushed my limits and motivated me to explore paths I would never have thought to venture. Readers, you should be open to these new experiences as well.
A psychology professor once told me that the two most important indicators of future success are intelligence and conscientiousness. As students of this university, be assured you have the intelligence. But you may or may not have the conscientiousness to constantly strive for excellence and to adhere to the principles of conscience in every area of life. Fortunately, conscientiousness is something that can be learned, but only through practice. So practise it, whether you are aiming for medical school, law school, to found a multinational enterprise, or to uncover the mysteries of the human mind. This university has taught me that it all comes down to how badly you want it and how hard you are willing to work to get it. For this, I’m pretty glad I came here.
