Undergraduate / I was 16 when I first started going to the gym - experience vs perspective [3]

-Tell us about an experience, in school or out, that caused you to rethink or change your perspective. What impact has this had on you? (maximum 200 words)

- I was sixteen when I first decided to change my lifestyle and start working out. Before that, I would spend countless of hours on video games feeling like I have no purpose in life. The reason I started going to the gym was because one day, my brother was angry at me since I was starting to become obese. He got me a gym membership and when I went to the gym, I spent half an hour doing cardio and then I attempted to bench press. In the beginning, I was only able to do three reps with the bar itself. I felt weak and pitied myself, but also at the same time, it felt great. Never before have I experienced something this amazing. The next day I felt pain but that did not stop me from going again. For the first time, I felt a purpose in my life. So I kept going to the gym and as a result, my physique, my mentality, my strength and my grades improved. As, Arnold Schwarzenegger would say, "The resistance that you fight physically in the gym and the resistance that you fight in life can only build a strong character."

Undergraduate / The death of my mentor; Significant Challenge [3]

Explain how you responded to a significant challenge that you have encountered and what you learned in the process. (maximum 200 words)

The moment someone you care about dies is the moment you feel compelled to do something. One of my close friends who worked in a music shop, Erwin Kepert Suarez Carpio, died on December 9, 2013. His death was very unfortunate because not only was he a close friend of mine but he was also my mentor and he was a father of two baby daughters. After I discovered that he had passed away, I was in complete shock and sadness. I would find difficulty in sleeping, anxiety came into play and depression struck me like an arrow into my heart. Erwin taught me many valuable lessons before he passed away, one of the lessons that he taught me was that I had to cope with life no matter what the circumstances are. I will always cherish the memories we had together and despite knowing that I will never see him again in person, I will make sure to see him again in my memories, and make sure that his life is never forgotten. I will rededicate my efforts to live a better life and find new ways to make the world a better place.

Undergraduate / Before I became a bodybuilder, I was an obese teenager; A Bodybuilders tale [3]

-Tell us more about one of the activities you listed above, explaining what your goals were, what you did to pursue them, the results achieved, and what you learned in the process. (maximum 200 words)

- Before I became a bodybuilder, I was an obese teenager. It was at that point in my life where I knew that something had to change. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to do something about it. My initial goal was to slim down but then after further research, I decided that it would be best if I were to build muscle. Following a strict workout program, my plan is to achieve an extraordinary physique with which people around the world will find intriguing. So far, my progress is slow but nevertheless, I am gaining muscle. The most valuable lesson that I learnt from bodybuilding is that life never comes easy. In order to achieve success in the future, you will have to strive for it. There are no shortcuts in success, and if you face a plateau, you must work even harder to progress further in life.

Undergraduate / 'Thomas Carlyle once said...' My goals in Queen's University and beyond [3]

In an essay of 300 words or fewer (approximately 1950 characters with spaces), write about your goals for your time at Queen's University and beyond. Your answer will be evaluated for content and writing style.

Thomas Carlyle once said, "Go as far as you can see, and when you get there you will see farther". If one plans to achieve his aspirations, setting goals is considered a very important step. My primary goal in Queen's University is to achieve success in the engineering field. I plan to devote my time in developing new skills, strengthening my previous skills and acquiring knowledge which will profound my future. The environment in Queen's University is very pleasant as there is a large amount of diversity in the student population, many outstanding clubs to participate in, a group of sagacious professors, and a lovely, captivating campus. Also, I plan to communicate with my peers in the engineering field and cooperate with them so as to excel in it. Not only do I plan to achieve high grades, but also to socialize with the various students in the campus so as to make new friends and maybe even future colleagues! I believe that Queen's University will provide me with an essential aspect so as to achieve my dream of becoming an inventor using the required skills that I will learn throughout my years in the university. After I graduate, I will apply the many academic, and social skills that I have learnt throughout my adventure in the university. Where my work location will be is still undecided. Hopefully, I will work in a successful, growing company of my preference . My work experience to me, is the culmination of all my hard work, dedication, sacrifice spent in the university to be the absolute best.