A day in the life of second-year Computer Science student, Nathaniel

If you’ve been keeping up with the blog, you’d know that I’ve been spending the last few weeks speaking with current Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students from different faculties. It’s been so interesting to compare the experiences of other students to my own, and I can’t wait to share the rest of these insightful conversations with you.

This week, I had the opportunity to chat with a student in the Faculty of Science. Nathaniel Paez, a second-year Computer Science student, had a lot to say about the university application process and the benefits of future students attending on-campus events. If you’re interested in hearing more, read on!

Claire: What is your name, your program, your year and a fun fact about yourself?

Nathaniel: My name is Nathaniel Paez and I’m in my second year of the Computer Science program at TMU. A fun fact about me is that I really enjoy working with the youth, and I think it’s super important to bridge the gap between education and the resources that students need to thrive.

C: What does a typical day at TMU look like for you?

N: My days are usually pretty rigorous. I commute to campus, and I’m downtown from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., five days a week. During the day, I’ll have lectures, which usually run two to three hours long, or labs, which are shorter. I also have quizzes every week, but I always make sure to squeeze in some time to relax. For example, in the middle of the day, I usually sit on one of the benches that are across from Balzac’s (external link, opens in new window)  (if it’s nice outside) so I can recharge or get some homework done. So, I would say that my mornings and afternoons are busy, mid-day is when I’ll recharge and the evening is when I’ll hang out with friends or study.

C: What do you like about working at TMU events and why should future students attend?

N: As a Student Ambassador, I really enjoy providing my own insights to those who are eager to learn about TMU. I had the opportunity to attend the Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF) (external link, opens in new window)  where I spoke with lots of prospective students and parents. I got to see them walk away with a stronger grasp of what resources TMU has to offer, which was really rewarding. I’m also interested in pursuing teaching in the future, and I get a lot of satisfaction out of sharing my own knowledge with others. By working at last year’s Open House, and now at OUF, I both provided insight to students and developed my own skills that I can use in my future career.

Attending events helps future students gain a realistic understanding of what day-to-day life will look like at TMU. By speaking to current students, you’ll receive a lot of really honest and realistic answers. But there are also so many other resources that are offered at these events, such as the opportunity to speak with professors and staff members. I would recommend that future students attend the Discover TMU: Open House in November because it gives them enough time to explore all of the options that are available here at TMU, and can help them get a better idea of what to expect when they enter university. 

C: What advice do you have for students preparing to apply to TMU?

N: Preparing to apply can be challenging for two reasons — the rigorous and broad nature of the application process, and the transition from high school to university. For me, the university application process was a bit overwhelming because my guidance counsellor showed me how to use OUAC and then just “threw” me into the application process, which didn’t really give me a clear understanding of what kind of options there were. So, my first piece of advice would be to attend the events that TMU hosts so you can speak to real people. Current students are really honest and open about their experiences, which is a big help.

I would also recommend taking some time to explore the undergraduate programs page since it’s really accessible for students. When I was applying, I appreciated how nicely formatted everything was, and it was so easy to read about different programs. For example, you can learn about the professors who teach in your desired program beforehand, so you can get a clear idea of who you’ll be learning from early on. Overall, attend events so you can receive honest advice, and take advantage of our website!

C: Why did you choose TMU?

N: I honestly can’t imagine myself at any other school besides TMU. I live by a GO station, so getting to campus is really convenient. I also love the urban nature of our university.

However, I think my campus tour experience is what really solidified my final decision. Two years ago, my tour guide (who is actually my coworker now) delivered such a great tour that I left campus feeling confident that TMU was the right place for me. Alongside answering all of my questions concisely, she introduced me to the ​​Digital Media Experience Lab (DME) (opens in new window) . This is a space where students can do cool things like 3D printing and sewing, and can gain access to a lot of different digital media tools. I love 3D modeling and sewing, so I thought it was really awesome that I could practice all of my hobbies in one space. I was like, “This is where I want to be.”

Thank you to Nathaniel for your words of wisdom! Even though the university application process can feel daunting, it’s important to remember that there are lots of current students at TMU who are eager to guide you along the way. 

If you’d like to hear from more students like Nathaniel, make sure to keep an eye on the Future Student Events page. 

Talk to you soon,

Claire