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• Q&A with Swathi Thushiyandan

Q&A with Swathi Thushiyandan

 

Swathi is a student ambassador here to answer your questions. Click here to contact Swathi.

Why Western Engineering?

I chose Western Engineering because of the community that comes with it. When I was in grade 12, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to pursue the software engineering venture I had always dreamt of. However, upon attending (many) university events, I quickly realized that I was signing up for the program and the people. The people I was meeting were some of the most brilliant yet supportive people I came across. That's what made me so sure I'd easily find a home with Western Engineering... and I did!

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I build mechanical keyboards (or watch others build them... it's a very expensive hobby), play badminton, and play video games with my friends!

What is a fun fact about yourself?

I was a competitive figure skater for about eight years!

Can you talk about your experiential learning experiences?

I first heard about the ELI certificate in my 1st-year business class from my professor. Upon doing further research, I learned it was the perfect way to integrate my love for leadership and innovation into my education. I ended up taking a course called Managing the Innovation Process. I loved how I could meet other like-minded students and see how far our ideas could take us just through the innovation process, and I can't wait to take the other courses that are a part of the certificate.

Study tips for current/future students?

Finding my "perfect" way to study is an ongoing and iterative process. The biggest tip is to figure out a way to love the content you're learning. I, too, am a victim of procrastination because, sometimes, I can't find the motivation to start because I have no interest in the matter. Take the time to understand how the material connects to your personal goals and interests. My best exams were the ones I had fun preparing for because I made the content personally meaningful.

Can you talk about your residence experience?

I came to Western looking for a fresh start and new friends. Residence made that process much easier. I had a couple of people in engineering on my floor, and we spent lots of nights figuring out homework together. On other nights, I'd be spending time with my friends from other faculties. I made some of my best memories in 1st-year, and a lot of it was thanks to living in residence. We had so many shared experiences that we bonded over. Those helped us get closer overall.