Campus Celebrity: Andrea Monsour

Meet Andrea Monsour! This awesome campus celebrity is passionate about helping others, trying new things, and is the co-lead of two organizations. We will be sad to say goodbye when Andrea graduates this year. 

Here are a just few quick facts about Andrea:
Her hometown is Ottawa, ON
She is completing a B.Sc. Honours in Biomedical Science
Year of graduation: 2016

Her Campus: Tell us a little bit about yourself. 
Andrea Monsour: I’m an introverted extrovert. Hand me a mic and I will gladly belt my heart out, but you need to let me mentally prepare before walking into a room of people. I enjoy hiking, travelling, baking, breathing… I am always up for trying new things and embarrassing myself in the process. A fun day for me would be spent volunteering; I’m passionate about helping others and almost always put the needs of others as top priority before my own. Would you count contemplating life as a hobby? I’ve also been dabbling on the piano since before I knew my multiplication tables. Comedy is my fuel. If you don’t have a sense of humour then I’m sorry, we can’t coexist.

Her Campus: How have you been involved on campus over the last 4 years?
AM: Clubs. I recommend joining any club on campus or starting your own! I started joining clubs in my first year and now I am the co-lead for two awesome organizations. Being the president of a club is great because 1) you’re the boss and 2) people listen to you.

Her Campus: What are your plans for after graduation?
AM: My plan is either to audition for SNL or get a master’s degree in public health. I’ll let fate and/or my bank account decide.

Her Campus: What advice would you like to pass on to other uOttawa students?
AM: Here are four words to live by: do what YOU want. When it comes to your future and your education, don’t give in to what other people “advise” or “expect” you to do. Do what you want, and who cares what other people think? I still struggle with this everyday, but I finally realized once you actually follow through with what you enjoy, it makes life so much easier. People will always have something to say, but it is your decision to take it or leave it. Also, befriend two professors as early as possible — they don’t bite (a few might) I promise.

Her Campus: What is your favourite memory from your years here at uOttawa?
AM: This is a tough one… I think my favourite memory is not one single moment, but a feeling. The feeling of submitting that 1000-page lab report or assignment that you’ve worked on all night and you know is only worth 0.5% of your final mark. Once you submit, it is like you are giving a little bit of your life away but at the same time you’re more relaxed than ever. It’s fascinating to think that we beat ourselves up working on projects that aren’t even worth the effort or time; all the stress we go through, the white hairs that grow, all for one silly grade. I won’t miss it once I graduate, but it’s definitely a unique memory. 

Andrea, we wish you all the best in the years to come!

Sources
All photos are from Andrea Monsour.  

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• uOttawa