Shoaib
One of Shoaib’s fondest memories at U of T came during his Fantasy and Horror course, offered through the English department and taught by Professor Daniel Justice.
“One day I walked into class and there was a clown wandering around the lecture hall,” he recalls. “Our professor was illustrating a point about terror and horror, and people freaked out. The professor and the T.A.s pretended not to see it. It was definitely one of my favourite moments in the classroom.”
Shoaib has always had a penchant for the dramatic. An English major and Political Science minor at Victoria College, Shoaib is the Chief Financial Officer for the Victoria College Drama Society (VCDS), and helps out with Vic’s theatrical productions as much as possible. He is also involved with the Victoria Off-Campus Association (VOCA) and is the Vice President External for Victoria College Students' Administrative Council (VUSAC).
“It’s really important to know your limits,” he advises. “Being involved is great, but there comes a point when you have to go home and do your work.”
Shoaib got an early start at U of T through a Commuter Orientation that took place in mid-August.
“Orientation was really important to me,” he says, “I met one of my best friends at commuter orientation over the summer, and that was when VUSAC first recruited me.”
Shoaib became an orientation leader last fall, and remembers the difference it made to finally see friends and other familiar faces in the crowd at all of the orientation events.
“I was overwhelmed by U of T at first,” he says. “But getting involved with my college has made me feel a lot more at home. I spend most of my time at Victoria College…. I would tell new students to make use of UTSU and their student-priced Metropass — and get to know your college and faculty administration.”
After graduation, Shoaib plans to pursue his Masters in Journalism, and to take advantage of his college’s postgrad seminars. He also stresses the importance of visiting your registrar for a consultation and using the services at the Career Centre, especially if you’re unclear on what you want to study, or the career you want to pursue.