Although each university is challenging in its own way, and each student may experience these challenges differently, I think we can all sympathize with how daunting and tedious our studies at U of T can be.
The culture of academic excellence at U of T — fueled by demanding professors, competitive students, and threats of grade deflation — becomes a huge component of our lives from the very first step we take on campus.
When you take into account assignments, midterms, and of course, readings, our studies may almost become as demanding and time consuming as full-time jobs.
This being the case, I think that many people ignore the importance of choosing the right subjects to study and how significant this decision may be to their university experience.
People often feel pressured to take certain pathways to success, even though these paths may not necessarily lead to positive experiences or even financial stability. When choosing courses, we need to sincerely consider our interests and our ability to perform in these positions.
Many people choose areas of study that are traditionally thought of as high-paying and secure, even if they do not enjoy doing the work. This might be great if you develop a love for what you study or show great skills in your work, but it may also be damaging if you’re forcing yourself into a field that you don’t find fulfilling.
I believe that choosing to study something you will not enjoy can only worsen the anxieties associated with a challenging academic culture.
At U of T, most programs — even those with rigid and unalterable requirements — give students the ability to take a number of elective courses. Electives are a great opportunity to explore other subjects, and to indulge interests beyond your field of study.
In fact, many people often find themselves gravitating toward areas of study related to their elective choices. The flexibility of U of T’s degree programs allows students to take extra years to complete degrees, especially if they choose to switch majors halfway through their program.
For instance, when I enrolled at U of T, I had no idea how much I would enjoy studying philosophy. Instead, I chose to study social sciences. I was taking courses in five different departments when I enrolled in an introductory philosophy course by chance.
I soon came to realize that I really love the subject, and I am relatively good at studying it. I decided to take more philosophy courses, and eventually became a philosophy specialist.
This was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Studying something that I love makes me enjoy the journey and tolerate the challenge. If it wasn’t this easy and convenient to experiment in courses from different departments, I might be studying something that I do not enjoy as much and, consequently, feel less enthusiastic about school.
I believe that when we find and study something we truly enjoy — even if only as a minor or a single course we are interested in — U of T may become less challenging.
So do not be afraid to enroll in different courses. You might find your passion where you least expect it to be, like I did. In turn, you may find U of T’s academic environment less toxic, more enjoyable, and more endurable — a challenge that you might even enjoy.
Efe Akan is a third-year Philosophy student at St. Michael’s College.
