"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending" (C. S. Lewis)
Things do not always work out as planned, but you can always change your path and still be successful. That is exactly what happened with me over the past year. I graduated from Sheriden College in Ontario with a major in Finance last Fall. It was a very stressing year, with lockdown and other Covid-19 related restrictions.
We had lot of seminars and presentations in the final semester, for which we had practiced throughout the entire program. Suddenly, everything was moved to virtual sessions. I personally felt very stressed with the sudden change, but the faculty was very helpful. They supported us and ensured that we were able to learn the new ways of working and deliver our best.
To be honest, I really freaked out at the beginning of the pandemic. But after sharing my anxieties and fears with my mother, who lives in India, I was able to handle a lot. I stopped checking for Covid-19 updates and started focusing on things that I could control. I tried to stay connected with my friends and family over video and phone calls and learned to do relaxation techniques.
But that was not all. I lost my job, which further added to the stress. My family and meditation definitely helped me cope up with the stress. My parents talked to me every single day. Slowly, I started managing my stress and anxiety, using the lockdown as an opportunity to overcome my weaknesses. I was always a shy person, lacking confidence when it came to giving presentations before an audience. To take my mind off the Covid-19-related news, I started watching tutorials on YouTube related to presentation skills, building confidence, and polishing communication skills. It took time, but at the end of it, I emerged as a more confident and a better version of myself.
And I finally found hope…
I moved from Ontario to Antigonish late last year and currently volunteer as a financial literacy worker with CPA [Chartered Professional Accountants] Canada. I am also preparing for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam and plan to be a financial advisor. As a financial literacy worker, I regularly brief people and give them presentations on financial issues with full confidence. I also work with a youth literacy group on an education project and regularly brief them on various issues.
The past year has taught me that things do not always work out the way you have planned them and adjusting yourself to changes is what life is all about. Life isn’t always about perfection. Sometimes you have to slow down and take time to explore what’s happening around you. Ask yourself: what is it that you actually wanted to do and what have you been doing?
I have only been in Antigonish for only a couple of months, but I already love this town. It feels safe and welcoming, very much like home, with a very warm and helpful community.