Continuing our series of blogs spotlighting some of our inaugural Beedie Luminaries meet Anoop Dayal. Anoop is starting her first year at UBC, working towards her Bachelor of Science. Read more about her story in the Q&A story below.
What is your name?
Anoop Dayal
What post-secondary school will you be attending?
University of British Columbia
What program will you be taking in post-secondary and why does it interest you?
I’ll be taking the Cognitive Systems program in the Faculty of Science. It interests me because it combines my curiosity of biology, psychology, and computers. It is also a topic that I believe will become prevalent in the future as newer technologies are developed and the use of AI increases. This program will act as a stepping-stool for me into that field of work.
Tell us a little bit about your background (growing up, going to school, extra-curricular activities, etc.).
I grew up in England and moved to Surrey, BC when I was 5 years old, leaving behind some close family who helped raise me. In Canada, I was enrolled in a Sikh school where I was able to learn my language and culture whilst studying other academics. Throughout elementary, I was pushed to partake in after school basketball practices, and also music lessons, which I enjoyed. I continued taking music lessons into high school and learned to play two instruments. In high school, I joined various clubs, such as the writing club and art club, where I further explored my creative side. In grade 11, I joined the Science Co-op program at my school where I was able to do work placements in careers that interest me. That summer, I volunteered with a UBC science camp which further deepened my interest in science. This led me to pursue my post-secondary studies in that area.
Who inspires you, and why?
One of the people that inspires me is a friend I met in high school. I met her in my first year and we bonded due to our shy personalities and shared sense of humour. Throughout high school, we pushed each other to get out of our comfort zones and try things we wouldn’t otherwise do. We volunteered at pottery camps and signed up for programs together. Aside from sharing these experiences, her kind persona has inspired me to spread my own kindness in big and small ways. Overall, she has had a significant impact in the way I approach opportunities and interact with the people around me.
What motivates you, and why?
One of the things that motivates me is my own work and the desire to uphold that standard, if not exceed it. When working on individual tasks, I make sure the quality of the product is the best I can do in order to achieve the best possible reward/mark. When other people are involved, I am motivated by them and the idea of not letting them down. In all, I am pushed to create my best work by trying to exceed my expectation each time in order to be proud of the result.
What are you goals for the upcoming school year?
My main goal for my first year at UBC is to establish and maintain a balance between school, social, and personal life. Being a commuter student, I need to be able to manage my time wisely and use up every minute of the day in a way that benefits me. I want to create an efficient routine to keep up my grades while taking care of myself mentally and physically. Within that goal is the intention to adapt to university life and do well in my classes. Another goal for me is to work on myself to become a healthy and fit person. I am grateful for the support system of Beedie Luminaries which will help me achieve these goals.
What is one thing you learned in high school that you will take with you to post-secondary?
In high school, one of the most important skills I learned is time management. Especially towards my senior years of high school, it was essential for me to complete tasks in relation to their importance. This skill allowed me to prioritize my classes and make sacrifices in moments of need. It is something that will greatly benefit me in post-secondary; which I see as a more imposing, intense and critical version of high school.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to future Luminaries?
One piece of advice I’d give to future Luminaries is to create goals and keep them in mind as you make life-changing decisions. This will allow you to persevere as you formulate your life and steer it in the direction you want it to go.
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