The Collins COBUILD English Dictionary defines science as “the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observations and experiment”.[1] Without science, Sir Alexander Flemming would not have solved bacterial infections through the introduction of antibiotics, which would have lead to a pandemic potentially causing the extinction of our species. Without the contributions of Sir Francis Crick and James Watson, we would still be in the shadows in our understanding of DNA molecular structure. Without Isaac Newton’s laws of physics, we would not have landed on the moon. Clearly, science has had a positive and meaningful impact on everyday life. Science has also shaped my academic career, has become my field of interest, and has determined my choice of a future career.
Science has been present in every aspect of my academic experiences thus far. My interest in science began during my high school education at Regina Assumpta, a private school located only twenty minutes away from Vanier. Throughout my five years at Assumpta, where I primarily took science related courses in French, I received several awards which caused my interest in science to peak. Among my awards, a medal of excellence in chemistry and a top ten finish in physics are noteworthy contributions. Another aspect of science which peaked my interest in the field was the exciting science fairs and the eye-opening experiments. The science fairs were a perfect “kingdom” for me to meet with other fellow geeks, nerds, and dorks. How much fun it was for me to spend time with similarly estranged individuals. The experiments ranging from volcanoes, rockets, or slime, on the other hand, revealed to me how the world works and impelled me to want to solve life’s unexplained mysteries. With confidence, I decided to begin my college studies at an English-speaking college, where I had heard a very strong Health Science department exists. Coming into a “Shakespearian” environment, where I had to turn the French switch off and transitioning from “chlorure de sodium” to sodium chloride was not a simple task. It required me a different rewiring of the brain. Despite the challenges of the English language at the college, I have been placed on the Dean’s honor roll for the past three consecutive semesters which consequently offered me the opportunity to become an ambassador for the college. My experiences at the college level have confirmed and cemented my passion for the sciences not only because of the acknowledgment I have received for my hard work but also because of my general curiosity in this field.
My passion for science has influenced both my ideas and everyday life. Living in the age of science, I believe scientific methodology can solve many of the pressing issues facing our society today. For example, our most critical problem today is climate change, and if we only listened to scientists as opposed to politicians, then we would begin the process of cleaning the earth of its toxins and stabilizing global temperatures, which is necessary to our survival. In relation to everyday life, I also believe scientific knowledge can improve our existence. For instance, the awareness of washing hands and not touching eyes, ears, or a nose during flu season miraculously lead me to have fewer colds and better overall health. I learned this the hard way when I had to get my inflamed tonsils removed because I did not practice proper hygiene early in my life. In addition to how science has influenced everyday life, it has specifically impacted my own life. My unwavering belief in science has led me to transmit its knowledge through the practice of teacher assistance ships and tutorials to students who also need help in the field. Science, in both my thoughts and actions, is imperative to my very existence.
Like every other budding scientist, I have hopes and anxieties concerning my future career. I desperately wish to continue performing well in my science courses specifically, but also in my other courses at the college level. To achieve this, I will need to work very hard and to maintain focus on my objective. Beyond doing well in College, I ultimately aspire to get accepted into the McGill Medical program. Since an early age, I have dreamt about becoming a respected physician who can have a positive impact on the lives of people. As for my anxieties, I worry most about the five-minute interview which will determine whether I get into medical school or not. This weighs heavily on me because I have put in five years of effort to achieve my goal. Moreover, I sometimes wonder whether I can push beyond to a required standard imposed by my field of study and if my work could ever have a meaningful impact on the world I live in. Another concern is what I will do if I do not get accepted into my field of interest. Will I have to choose pharmacy or dentistry as my second-best options? Hopefully, I will not have to make such a decision. Without time, determination, effort, and focus, my dream of becoming a physician one day might not be achieved. Nonetheless, I will continue to perform to my highest potential and to believe confidently in my abilities.
[1] “science.” Collins COBUILD English dictionary. London, Harper Collins, 1999, pp. 1485.
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