Stellar Student: Bhupinder Walia

March 19th, 2007 by admin

Age: 23

Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.

Academic Awards:
University of Waterloo Entrance Scholarship, University of Waterloo Faculty of Applied Health Science Upper Year Scholarship, B.C. Provincial Scholarship, Canada Millennium Scholarship.

Area of study:
Recently graduated from medical school in Chicago and started residency in anesthesiology in July. I’m one of Canada’s youngest doctors.

Advice to students planning for university:
Finding a university that’s right for you can be a daunting task for some. With proper preparation, however, the task can be made simpler. Treat the whole process as a research project. It’s important to set specific goals with appropriate deadlines. You should start looking into admission requirements during your junior year of high school. Identify 20 or so universities that you’re interested in and research them thoroughly. Apply as early as you can. Getting an early unconditional acceptance to university can prevent a lot of future headaches. Look into scholarships and bursaries. You don’t have to be a genius to qualify for scholarships. University is not only about studying and achieving good grades but gaining insight and identifying your strengths and weaknesses. If you allow it to be, university can be an amazing experience.

Your favourite confidence-building tips:
Set attainable short-term and long-term goals and work to the best of your ability to achieve them. It’s crucial to write your goals down and look at what you have written from time to time. Also, surrounding yourself with positive energy definitely helps to build confidence.

What skills helped you succeed in school?
Excellent organization and study skills are key to succeeding in school. I stayed on top of the game during undergrad and medical school by reading and familiarizing myself with material prior to lectures.

How did you cool off when school started becoming too intense?
I would put my books aside and engage in an activity completely unrelated to school. I’d listen to music, hang out with friends and watch movies. When I was ready, I would hit the books again. I was never afraid to seek help from teaching assistants or professors when I was unsure of something.

Success strategies for studying:
Don’t leave studying to the last minute. Make sure that between exams you review newly learned material as often as possible. Getting enough sleep is just as important as studying hard.

What do you do in your spare time?
I have a pretty wide spectrum of interests. I enjoy flying small planes, travelling, learning new languages, painting, dancing and spending time with family and friends.

What role has your family played in your academic career?
My family is amazing. My parents and siblings have been my biggest cheerleaders throughout life. They have supported me in every way possible and have set positive examples for me to follow. Without the love and support of my parents and siblings, I would not have been able to accomplish what I have today. My mom and dad attended every parent-teacher conference throughout elementary and high school. My parents would send me on educational tours of Europe and made sure I did not miss out on any educational opportunity.

Quote that inspires you:
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.”
— Aristotle

Source: Mehfil Magazine (www.mehfilmagazine.com

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