The upcoming fall semester will be unlike any other in the University of Toronto’s history due to the shift to virtual learning necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. But for incoming student Michael Acquaviva (Year 1 EngSci), the unusual start to his post-secondary journey represents more of an opportunity than a hinderance.

“My generation will be viewed as the one that lived through a pandemic and that had to adapt to certain changes in the world,” says Acquaviva, who graduated from William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute and will pursue a degree in engineering science at U of T Engineering.

“I think that ultimately is a strength when it comes to adaptability. It builds resilience.”

Acquaviva is one of six students named top scholars this year by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) – students who achieved an average of 99 per cent or higher in Grade 12 – and one of three who will be attending U of T this fall.

Not surprisingly, Acquaviva had his pick of universities. But he says there was only ever one choice for him.

“U of T has always felt like the right place for me,” he says. “When I went for a campus tour, it just felt like I belong there.”

His peers in the engineering science program will include fellow TDSB top scholar Qingyuan Wu (Year 1 EngSci), who graduated from Forest Hill Collegiate Institute.

“I chose U of T because it’s the best university in Canada and the engineering program is also the best in Canada,” says Wu. “The engineering science program appeals to me because it brings both the practical aspect of engineering and the science aspect which is more theoretical, and I think that’s a perfect mix.”

Wu says the shift to online classes and assessments towards the end of Grade 12 emphasized the importance of self-discipline, which will be key for succeeding in university.

“If you go to school, you have to physically sit there for each class and listen. But for online courses, nobody’s pushing you,” Wu says. “So, what I tried to do to keep myself engaged was to make sure I did [work] every day so I didn’t get into that bad habit.”

Wu is also looking to tap into the energy and enthusiasm of his engineering science peers. That includes proactively looking to forge connections and make friends with classmates by adding them on Instagram.

“Apart from me pushing myself, I’ll also try to meet other people in my program and try to study with them online,” Wu says. “For me, making friends is a huge thing.”

Acquaviva, too, says that interpersonal connections will still be a feature of his fall plans, even if he’ll miss the in-person social interactions of a typical university semester.

“With all the technology today, it’s still possible to build interpersonal connections, whether it’s through Zoom, Facetime or social media,” he says. “Of course, I’d rather have that in-person interaction, so that’s something I’m really looking forward to when we eventually go back [to class]. But, for the time being with the pandemic, we have to manage with what we have.”

Acquaviva says he was drawn to the engineering science program because it’s designed to gradually take students from general engineering to a specialization by the third year. “I’m really looking forward to all the resources U of T has to offer for engineering students,” he says. “That was a big selling point for me when I was making my decision on which university to go to.”

Acquaviva adds that he’s also open to exploring opportunities in entrepreneurship and business – which further enhanced the appeal of going to U of T.

“The business aspect of how you can implement engineering into business is something that appeals to me,” he says. “I know U of T has all kinds of resources for that – there’s the engineering business major, the Myhal Centre [for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship] … there’s also the program in partnership with Rotman where, directly after your engineering degree, you can go for an MBA. So that’s also something I’m considering.”

Acquaviva says that a love of learning will also likely help him and other incoming U of T students navigate the unusual fall semester.

“I enjoy learning,” he says.  “It actually motivates me every day to get out of bed. If you have a passion for learning, I think that’s the most important thing.”

This story is adapted from a version published on U of T News. Read the full article.