How did you shortlist your courses and universities?

At the point in time when I had just finished my A-Levels, I knew that I was interested in studying social science, but I was not sure which exact course would be a good fit for me. I remember scouring through many course websites, feeling like I could be interested in any and every single one of them. While it was interesting to learn about them, it personally did not help me much in narrowing down a single course for me to study. Hence, I knew that I would like to go to a university that would allow me to explore my various interests and give me both the time and resources to choose my majors. I then actively looked out for universities that could offer me such flexibility. At the same time, I had also prioritised going to a university that could provide a setting for me to meet people from various backgrounds as I felt that I needed to interact more with people outside of my bubble, especially when I knew that I wanted to work in the social sector. Hence, I once again prioritised looking for a school that is greatly multicultural so I could have such interactions and conversations. Due to these two priorities I had in finding a school that offers both a flexible curriculum and a multicultural setting, I eventually settled on going to University of Toronto, which I am still very happy to be studying in! 

What did you do to find out more if these choices were right for you? What would you give as advice to students going through the application journey now?

The process of making choices and decisions is always going to contain self-doubts and uncertainty - after all, it is a big step into our futures where we cannot be sure what choices can be completely right for us. For me, it helped me to know what I prioritised and to make my decisions based on these priorities, such as in how I chose my university. It is important to remember that we are all unique, with our own goals and dreams, which is why there is not one course or university that can be a good fit for every single one of us. It is also the reason why you should choose the place that is the best for you, and not the place that is the best for everyone. To do so, remember to take some time to get to know yourself (especially in the time after A-levels!) so you can better know where your values and priorities lie.  Make time for yourself  - take up internships in careers you are curious about, take up hobbies you have not gotten the chance to do for some time, volunteer with causes you resonate with, or even just take a break and listen to your own needs! With more life experiences, you will be able to learn more about yourself, which can help in your decision-making process. 

Be kind to yourself, you got this!