A year of growth and new experiences

Stepping out of your comfort zone helps you grow.

2024 flew by in a blur. Looking back, I can’t believe how much I’ve grown and learned. From balancing school and work to surviving my first Canadian winter, this year has been a journey with plenty of challenges and triumphs.

Moving to Canada was a big change. I’ll never forget taking the wrong bus on my first day of class and ending up in Mississauga instead of Lakeshore (at least it’s a funny story now). At first, navigating Toronto’s transit was tough, but it pushed me to become more independent and resilient.

The winter was hard, especially with the early darkness, but I got used to the cold and even experienced snow for the first time. Along the way, I made new friends, embraced the chaos and celebrated the small wins.

Let’s take a look at how 2024 went for me and other Humber Polytechnic and University of Guelph-Humber students!

Balancing work and academics

A woman trying to balance on a wooden board and falling in water. — *Via GIPHY*

At the start of the year, I thought balancing a part-time job and being a full-time student would be a piece of cake. Well, it wasn’t. Between assignments, classes and my first Canadian job as a sales associate at Hudson Bay, I was running on fumes.

I would rush from classes to work and then stay up way too late trying to finish my assignments. Some days, I felt totally overwhelmed, like I was barely keeping my head above water. But, after some trial and error (and way too many sleepless nights), I finally got the hang of it.

I started using planners and calendars to organize my schedule. Slowly but surely, I learned how to prioritize and make the most of my time.

P.S. – I’m proud to say I have a much cooler job at IGNITE now, so life’s good!

Exploring new places

Three people are standing on the edge of a cliff with their minivans and enjoying the view. — *Via GIPHY*

Toronto has so much to offer! Between the stunning city views and its endless attractions, I’ve had so much fun exploring the city. One of my first adventures was visiting the Art Gallery of Ontario. The exhibitions were amazing and I loved wandering through the galleries.

I also checked out Canada’s Wonderland for the first time this summer with my sister and our common friends. I had an absolutely incredible time at the water park and on the rollercoaster rides—I’ll never sit on a rollercoaster again because it was TERRIFYING!

And, of course, I made it to Niagara Falls as well. Seeing the falls up close was nothing short of breathtaking. As it got dark, the falls lit up in bright blue, purple and red colours that made everything look magical. The lights shining on the mist made it absolutely beautiful.

First snowfall of my life

A puppet is sliding and enjoying the cotton-shaped snow. — *Via GIPHY*

Before coming to Canada, I was really scared of the winter. I’m from India, where it’s mostly warm all year, so I’d been warned about snowstorms, freezing cold and how I’d probably get sick since it was my first time experiencing snow.

But, honestly, winter wasn’t as bad as I thought. The snow started calmly and, at first, I was like, “This isn’t too bad.” But as the cold set in, the days got shorter and the sky was filled with gloom, I started to feel low and homesick.

Luckily, I was prepared. Bundling up in layers of clothes and looking like a marshmallow, somehow, I didn’t get sick. Slowly, I began to enjoy the winter weather. Sure, there were moments when I hated the cold, but there was something magical about the city covered in snow.

I also learned a lot about myself and how I could adapt and find beauty in even the toughest moments.

Building new connections

A woman is holding the mic and saying the words "Nice to meet you" to another woman. — *Via GIPHY*

This year wasn’t just about balancing work and school, it also brought some big personal milestones. I moved into a new house and made new friends. My flatmates and I cook together, play games and watch movies every weekend, which has made settling in so much fun.

At first, adjusting to Toronto felt overwhelming, but I soon realized how important it is to surround myself with supportive people. Whether it was classmates, coworkers or new friends, I learned the power of community and how helpful it is to have support during tough times.

My new job as a content writer also helps me grow. It has become a place where I can apply what I have learned in post-secondary, develop new skills and gain knowledge from my peers who are more experienced (shout out to my team, you all are amazing!).

2024 for students

A woman is at a game show and she's saying the words "THE STRUGGLE IS VERY REAL" to a man. — *Via GIPHY*

I talked to some students and asked how 2024 went for them.

I spoke with Daksh Raj Sharma, an introduction to commercial jazz student. He mentioned that it was his long-standing dream to immerse himself in jazz, especially in a country like Canada, and in 2024 that dream came true.

Coming from an Indian classical music background, Sharma found jazz challenging but he connected the two genres.

“I’ve been able to decode jazz standards using my knowledge of Indian classical music,” he said.

He also faced financial challenges as an international student, but managed with careful planning.

“Every step has brought me closer to building a life and career I’m proud of,” he added.

I also spoke with Simran Sharma, who is studying global business management. One challenge she faced in 2024 was balancing studies and work at the same time.

“It was tough, but I managed to find a good work-life balance,” Sharma said.

Sharma feels that 2024 helped her grow as a person.

“I feel more equipped to handle tough situations,” she said.

When asked to describe 2024 in one word, Sharma said, “rollercoaster ride.”

A group of men are standing together and laughing with the words "I'll SEE YOU NEXT YEAR" written below. — Via GIPHY

This year was full of lessons, big and small. I learned that I can handle a lot more than I thought. There were days when I felt like I was failing and days when I was totally on top of things. But, I now understand that it’s all part of the process.

The lessons I’ve learned this year have made me stronger, more resilient and more confident in my ability to handle it all. I feel more prepared to face all the upcoming challenges.

Here’s to another year of learning, growing and finding balance.

I’m sure the next chapter will bring great things for all of us!

Feature image courtesy of Walls.io via Unsplash.

Want to relive IGNITE’s top moments from the winter semester? Check out the top moments from IGNITE’s 2024 winter semester!