Q&A with Fadi El-Richani

I define success as a series of failures, but persevering and overcoming them to achieve your goals.

Fadi El-Richani

Third Year Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering

 

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

Do you remember when you decided you wanted to pursue engineering? What sparked your interest?

 I was always indecisive about what I wanted to do in university, until around grade 11. I realized that many of the classes I enjoyed were applicable to engineering/were classes that were required for Western Engineering. As a kid, and still to this day, I was a huge fan of Lego and a show called "How It's Made," both of which contributed to my interest in engineering. Seeing how things were put together, and what mechanisms made them work piqued my interest!

How do you manage school-related stress?

The main thing I do to help with stress is to ensure I take time for self-care. That self-care can take the form of physical activity or a relaxing night watching my favourite movie! I also believe that a little bit of stress shows you care, which is a good thing. Of course, stress is only good in moderation, so to stop the stress from overwhelming me, I spend a lot of time putting my assignments/tests/significant events into a calendar!

What is your favourite quote?

 “I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.” - Andy Bernard from the Office. This quote can apply to a lot of things in life. But with engineering, more specifically, it can be hard to take the time to truly appreciate the hard work you're putting in, how it’s going to pay off, the people around you, and the sense of community that Western Engineering has, so try to enjoy it while you're here!

Favourite study spot on campus?

My favourite study spots on campus are the seats along ACEB facing the Ivey Building. There is natural light, an outlet, and a water fountain nearby and only one person is on each side of you (which makes it harder to get distracted)! This makes for a great spot to hunker down and get ready for exams.

Can you talk about your extra-curricular activities at Western (clubs, teams, volunteer work, outreach activities, athletics etc.)? Why would you encourage students to get involved in extra-curricular activities at Western Engineering?

I currently am the VP of Finance for the Biomedical Engineering Club, an Off-Campus Soph, and am involved in several intramural sports. I highly encourage you to get involved in clubs because they give you the opportunity to network and learn many new skills, and they also give you a break from schoolwork! Just about anything you can think of has a club at Western, and with engineering more specifically, there are so many different design teams available.

What is success to you?

I define success as a series of failures, but persevering and overcoming them to achieve your goals!