With the New Year officially here, many are looking for a source of inspiration to motivate themselves to accomplish their resolutions and goals for 2012. For some, it’s as simple as taking up a new hobby, while for others, the New Year is filled with the promise of life altering changes. No matter what our ambitions, it can often seem as if they are impossible to attain. The stress of life just seems like too much to bear at times, and it comes as no surprise that most of us choose to abandon pursuing our goals sooner rather than later. Fortunately, although several of us don’t realize it, there are plenty of driven individuals around campus that can encourage us to keep persevering. Take for example, Shoaib Alli, a 4th year student at UofT’s Victoria University (Vic) and current Vice President of the Victoria University Student’s Administrative Council (VUSAC). An extremely outgoing and enthusiastic member of the student body, Shoaib has truly made the most of his university experience thus far, and will undoubtedly continue to do so. With his hopeful outlook on even the most discouraging of challenges, he proves that any objective can be achieved with the right amount of willpower and positivity.
Shoaib is presently in the process of completing his English major, as well as a minor in political science, with plans to become a sports journalist in the near future. Along with his academic responsibilities, he must also fulfill his duties as Executive/Co-chair of the Orientation Week Committee, Vice President External of VUSAC, and Student Life Ambassador. He has dedicated himself to VUSAC for the past 3 years, working his way from finance chair, to member at large, to VP and persistently works to help bring more services to Vic students. However, Shoiab’s influence is not confined to within Vic’s doors. Being in charge of external affairs requires Shoiab to host important discussions with representatives of the other colleges at UofT in order to serve the entire university’s interests (including Vic’s) as effectively as possible. Alongside his immediate duties, such as planning events with other faculties and colleges, Shoaib is also actively involved with monthly activities organized by VUSAC, providing assistance whenever he can. He even takes to Twitter ten times a week as a Student Life Ambassador to respond to his peers’ concerns or talk about anything of interest within the university.
With so many commitments, the pressure of Shoaib’s demanding extracurricular and school life can easily appear overwhelming. How does he combat the stress? “It’s all about finding the perfect balance,” Shoaib replies, “not everyone is involved with extracurriculars, but this balance can be found between anything you do, school life and work, or school and family life, whatever it may be.” Luckily, Shoaib even has a fool proof method to successfully strike this balance, advising fellow students who find themselves constantly anxious to “look at things with perspective, to take a step back and assess their priorities and do whatever they need to overcome their stress, like reading a book, or anything else that works for them.” For Shoaib, relieving stress involves playing video games and hobbies such as playing basketball frequently. This simple strategy is clearly working for Shoaib, as he continues to thrive in his academic and social life, while maintaining significant involvement in a number of extracurricular activities, and he does it all without overexerting himself.
When asked what the most rewarding aspect of his commitments has been, one may expect Shoaib to refer to his distinguished position at Vic. However, his reputation is not what first comes to Shoiab’s mind when giving an account of what he finds most gratifying as VP. Rather, he enjoys regularly meeting new people, trying new things, and being given the chance to assist fellow students. He is always more than happy to share the mistakes he has made, as well as his successes, in the hopes that his advice will help anyone who may need it. As for his present goals, Shoaib is looking forward to directing an unforgettable Orientation Week for 2012 and ending his fourth year on an academically high note. When considering Shoaib’s open mindedness, diligence, and inspiring optimism, suddenly facing those New Year’s resolutions seems a little less horrific.