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• Q&A with Zain Syed

Q&A with Zain Syed

 

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

Why Western Engineering?

There are many reasons as to why I decided to go with Western’s excellent Engineering program. Firstly, I have always had a curious nature, combined with a unique arsenal of problem-solving skills. Because of this, I knew I wanted to be an Engineer since I was young. The reason I chose Western is because of its diverse community, and the excellent student opportunities. I have met so many incredible people here and looking back, I am glad I chose Western, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

What do you do in your spare time?

I have many hobbies, whether it be playing basketball on the weekends with friends, or sitting down at my desk building personal projects and robots, I am always looking for a way to occupy myself. I rarely like to sit idly. Although I cannot give a concrete answer as to what I do in my spare time, I find enjoyment in doing interactive activities which allow me to grow physically and mentally, and excellent example of this are frequent hackathons or competitions.

What is a fun fact about yourself?

I absolutely love fashion and cologne. I like to dress nice, with modern trends, and I have a large collection of perfume, over 60 bottles! I even have a TikTok account where I occasionally post about my hobby. I love talking about it as well, and I am great at helping people find a good signature scent for them! I also keep samples on me at all times.

Can you talk about your experiential learning experiences (co-op, internship, ELI, PEME, Global and Intercultural Engagement Honour etc.)?

Although I haven’t done anything related to co-op or internship yet, I aim to do it next year in the summer. I have other experiences however, such as Hackathons. I think as a software engineer, hackathons are excellent opportunities to not only learn and work on a cool project, but it is also a great way to network with professionals in your field. Doing these competitions has allowed me to sharpen my axe, and has made me better overall at programming and robotics!

Study tips for current/future students?

I am very particular when it comes to my study habits. The biggest thing is to finish assignments in advance, to avoid unnecessary build up of work. I also like to study in intervals of 30-45 minutes, and then take 5-minute breaks to walk around or do push ups, it keeps me engaged in my learning for much longer. A bonus tip is to chew gum and wear perfume on your wrist while studying, and then during the exam. Your brain will be able to recall information you studied easily.

Can you talk about your residence experience?

I never lived on campus for school, I have been living in the same house for the last 3 years of school. My house is quite far from Western, about 9km to be exact, so commuting was a struggle first year. Now I have a car, so living off campus has been great, I always can go home to a quiet study environment with my work desk. Overall, the experience of residence was tough to start, but I grew to fit into the new environment without my family.