By, Rishabh Shah

Welcome back to the second edition of checking up on our class of 2024 in post-secondary education! Last week we learned about Nathan Lee’s experiences in Life Sciences at U of T Scarborough, and Micaela Xavier Lee’s in Architectural Sciences at U of T St. George. 

This week, we are going down the 407 to visit Noelle Di Perna, a former executive of Titan Times, at McMaster University!

Noelle is a 1st year student in the Health Science discipline at McMaster University. I was able to ask her some questions regarding her thoughts and participation in the program. 

When asked about her feelings about her program, she had this to say about it: 

Noelle: “After completing the first semester of my program, I’m definitely enjoying it. I’ve been happy and intrigued with the material being introduced. Especially when the Professors are experienced and know their stuff. It is cool to learn more than only biological systems, but rather the interactions about giving and receiving health care.” 

Noelle was immersed in STA, and she is continuing that here! She says that a major benefit of joining this program is the flexibility and “focus on human connection”. She has had time to meet friends, join clubs/councils, and truly immerse herself in the University scene. Group work is prioritised and time management is present in many of the courses. 

Noelle: “The program really doesn’t have any push factors, but it is important to note that most classes are spent with the same cohort of students. This makes it difficult to branch out within 

other faculties, however it is a great opportunity to form close knit relationships with those around you. “

The program seems to have many more pros than cons. When I asked Noelle about recommendations for Gr. 12s, her message was simple: 

Noelle: “I know it might sound stereotypical, but take it slow, you have a lot of time. It is okay to feel lost or pressured, but always try your best to live in the moment and make decisions that bring you joy”.

Noelle is having fun at McMaster University, she even got to go rafting during the first week! Noelle likes many restaurants around campus, but her favourite lies in the Peter George Centre, which is Chopped Leaf, a salad and sandwich restaurant!

Now let’s see what one of the class of 2024 Valedictorians is up to…

Now, meet Séamus Chai, a 1st year student studying Data Science at Wilfrid Laurier University. I was able to converse with him about his program. He is at the Waterloo Campus

Séamus: “I am actually loving and hating my program. I love it because I love trying new things, the content I am doing is completely new to me. The work done in the program prepares you for many broader fields of work. What I don’t like is that my program is a newer addition to the university. Things like the program specific courses and clubs, are new and aren’t properly streamlined yet. A few of the required courses  are either newly added or changed often as they are continuously tested to see what works best. As it is, the program is barely 5 years old now”

The Data Science program is new, but Séamus has observed that the risk of entering the program is paying off with exclusive job opportunities, and more. 

Séamus was eager to give advice for 12th Graders as well; he said not to pick a program because of the school name solely. Pick an appropriate workload and a program that will challenge you at a manageable rate. Nobody grows until they are challenged. 

He also talked about some funny experiences: 

Séamus: “A couple of times we have been in a lecture and the professor just throws in words like; “we’re cooking here”, or “We need to lock in now”. I have had a lot of fun in some of my 

classes, in one class we even played a Kahoot quiz with some Wii music playing in the background”

Séamus too had some places he would definitely recommend to eat, he said “Potluck Carribean Cuisine”.

Both of these students were large parts of the STA community, and it is so great to see them having fun in their schools. Stay tuned for the 3rd edition of ‘Titan’s Tycoon: Where Are Our Titans At?’.