pros & cons of the university of toronto!

Summary

In this reflective video, the speaker shares their personal journey of choosing a university, focusing on the University of Toronto (U of T). They discuss the pros and cons of attending U of T, including the prestige, academic rigor, and diverse environment, as well as the challenges of a competitive and expensive city. The speaker candidly addresses their fears of not being 'smart enough' and the hustle culture, but ultimately expresses gratitude for the growth and opportunities U of T has provided, despite the initial rejection from their dream school.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker reflects on their college decision-making process during grade 12, emphasizing the anxiety and excitement of making such a significant choice for the first time.
• 💔 They share a personal experience of being rejected from their dream school, Harvard, and how it initially crushed them but ultimately led them to be grateful for the path they ended up on.
• 🌟 The speaker appreciates the diversity and multicultural environment of the University of Toronto (U of T), which was a major pro for them in choosing to attend.
• 🏆 They highlight the prestige of attending a top-ranked university like U of T, which is in the top 25 worldwide, and how it contributes to their sense of accomplishment.
• 📚 The speaker values the academic rigor at U of T, appreciating the challenge and the quality of education, despite the potential for lower grades compared to other institutions.
• 🤝 They mention the importance of being surrounded by ambitious and hardworking peers, which motivates them to strive for more in their academic and professional life.
• 🔍 The speaker enjoys the variety of programs and courses offered at U of T, allowing for exploration of different fields and interests.
• 🏙️ The cons of attending U of T include the hustle culture and the fear of not being able to stand out or succeed academically among a highly competitive student body.
• 💸 The high cost of living in Toronto and the expensive tuition fees, especially for international students, are noted as significant drawbacks.
• 🌆 The speaker acknowledges the overwhelming nature of living in a big city like Toronto, which contrasts with their preference for a quieter, more nature-oriented environment.
• 🎉 Despite the cons, the speaker concludes that they are happy with their choice of attending U of T and would not want to be anywhere else, looking forward to the remaining time at the university.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is discussing the pros and cons of attending the University of Toronto (UFT), particularly from the perspective of a high school student making a college decision.

Why did the speaker decide to make the video?

The speaker decided to make the video to help high school students, especially grade 12s, who are trying to decide if UFT is the right place for them, as the speaker had gone through the same decision-making process.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to being rejected from their dream school?

The speaker initially felt crushed and very difficult because the dream school had been a long-nurtured dream, and they were certain it was the right place for them.

How did the speaker eventually feel about being rejected from their dream school?

The speaker eventually felt grateful for the rejection because it set them on the path to where they are now, which they are very happy with.

What is the speaker's view on the idea of rejection being redirection?

The speaker believes that the idea of rejection being redirection is very true and tries to think of rejection as an opportunity for something better.

What are some of the pros of attending UFT according to the speaker?

Some pros include UFT being in Toronto, a multicultural city, being in the top 25 universities in the world, having a rigorous academic environment, and offering a diverse range of programs.

What are some of the cons of attending UFT that the speaker mentioned?

Some cons include the hustle culture, the fear of not being successful academically, the high cost of living in Toronto, and the feeling of being a 'small fish in a big pond'.

How does the speaker feel about the size of UFT?

The speaker acknowledges that UFT is a very big school, which can be overwhelming, but also notes that it prepares students for the real world where things are not handed to them.

What advice does the speaker give to those who are worried about not standing out at UFT?

The speaker advises that success is measured differently for every person and that being a 'small fish in a big pond' can actually benefit one in the long term by providing more opportunities for growth.

How does the speaker feel about their decision to attend UFT in retrospect?

The speaker feels that they made the right choice and have no regrets, as they are very happy with their decision and would not want to be anywhere else.

What is the speaker's perspective on the importance of being in an environment with ambitious people?

The speaker finds it inspiring to be around ambitious people and likes the environment at UFT where everyone is striving for excellence, even though it can also be intimidating at times.