University of Waterloo
My home from 2021-2026, studying Waterloo Software Engineering.
Want advice on how to make the most out of your time at university?
- Start tracking everything (time, relationships, progress, etc.) What gets measured gets managed
- Build systems for yourself, believe in the Compound Effect
- Learn to how learn. I spend a lot of time thinking about how to learn more effectively. Take Conceptual Notes
- Practice reflection. Question yourself. Why are you here? Live with purpose. Don’t know your purpose? Then go find it. Try new things. Clubs. Design Teams. Read more. Think for yourself.
- Don’t judge the quality of your life by happiness (because that comes and goes), but by Contentment.
- Don’t half-ass things, stay Focused Focus is the new IQ
- Be kind to people. But don’t be a people-pleaser.
- Take care of your physical health. 6 hours a week minimum.
- Make sure to have fun, remember The Importance of Play
- Find people you admire. Befriend them.
I also like the advice here.
Other Stuff
Is Waterloo actually a good school?
Or is it just the reputation? The longer I stay in Waterloo, the more I feel like Waterloo actually deserves the reputation. The things I am learning in class, such as CS247 and CS343, are really good Foundational Knowledge. I don’t know if other schools have this depth and breadth.
At the same time, you get really good coops if you work hard and get lucky, it’s a positive Feedback Loop. Saw from a bunch of online forums that companies like to hire from Waterloo because they have lots of professional work experience already when they enter the workforce.