Studying General Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Vera Danilova from Cohort 2019 is excited to see what lies ahead in her undergraduate journey. With intentions to pursue research, medicine, or teachng, Vera plans to keep her mind and options open! Read more below.
What program will you be taking in post-secondary and why does it interest you?
Currently, I am enrolled in the General Sciences Program at University of British Columbia. I find the Field of Science fascinating and the great thing about it is that it branches into many career opportunities that I am considering such as researching, medicine, and teaching.
Tell us a little bit about your background (growing up, going to school, extra-curricular activities, etc.).
I was born in Russia and immigrated to Canada 10 years ago. I have lived in seven cities while here and graduated from Burnaby Mountain Secondary School last year. A few extra-curricular activities that I was involved in throughout high school include participating in the school basketball team, being a member of Wish Youth Network Society (a student-led, non-profit organization), and volunteering at the Ridge Meadows Hospital.
Who inspires you, and why?
I think one of the most inspiring people that I have encountered in my life has been my Physics teacher. Her willingness to always provide support both academically and personally has helped me become more assertive and open-minded. Her advice to not overthink problems that seem significant in the moment has changed my attitude towards my future. There is so much ahead and thanks to her, I understand that minor errors will not determine what the rest of my life has in store.
What motivates you, and why?
The main motive that helps me remain determined is the idea of having a meaningful career and living up to my own expectations. By competing with my principles, I am able to isolate my values and strive to do better every day whether that is dealing with a bad grade or creating a new good habit.
What are your goals for the upcoming school year?
Looking ahead, I want to focus on going for new opportunities and doing well in school. This upcoming year, my main priority is to find balance in maintaining good academic standing, living a healthy lifestyle, and having a memorable university experience.
What is one thing you learned in high school that you will take with you to post-secondary?
How to prioritize! I had to frequently deal with the urge to procrastinate and it was beneficial for me to learn how to organize my responsibilities by the level of importance. Hopefully, this will allow me to be more productive and less stressed out in university.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to future Luminaries?
Just push through and remain determined to achieve whatever goals you have! Not everything will go as planned in your life and there will be setbacks; in both personal and social life, academics, etc. However as cliché as it may sound, you only fail when you stop trying and give up. Therefore, I guess the best suggestion I have is to remain focused on what is important to you.
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