Convocation countdown with…Brienna DiBattista

Program: Honours Life Sciences Co-op

Hometown: Richmond Hill, ON

Favourite course:

This may not be a traditional course, but my favourite at Mac was co-op. Enrolling in the co-op program was one of the best decisions I made during my undergrad. It opened doors for me that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise and for that I’m incredibly grateful. Beyond the obvious skill-building – like developing my resume, interview skills, and professionalism – co-op taught me things that simply cannot be learned in a classroom. It gave me a real-world perspective and helped me grow in ways far beyond academics. Something that surprised me was how it allowed me to truly appreciate both school and work. At the start of each work term, I was always eager for the journey ahead and ready to embrace the growth that came with it. After each work term, I found myself excited and motivated to return to school, while others felt burnt out from the same routine. Co-op gave me a balance between school and work that allowed me to fully value each experience and give my best to both.

The person you’re most thankful to have met at Mac:

It’s actually someone whose name I never even learned. It was during a particularly difficult day towards the end of the semester. I was overwhelmed. I had multiple projects due, a midterm to study for, and an important interview the very next day. I was doing my best to stay afloat when I decided to treat myself to my favourite meal on campus. I got to the front of the line, ready for this one meal to brighten my entire day when I realized my student card had fallen off my keychain and I didn’t have my wallet. I was frantically checking my bag when I felt someone tap me on my shoulder. I looked up and heard, “Do you want me to get this for you?” Before I could even respond, they were already tapping their card. That person doesn’t know it but they saved me from reaching my breaking point that day. I’ve thought about them during every busy or overwhelming moment since. It changed the way I move through the world. It reminded me how much these small moments matter, and how a simple act of kindness can make someone’s day. So if that person is reading this, I just want to say thank you.

Best Mac moment:

My best moment at Mac was when I finally became an intramural soccer champion after losing in the finals twice before that. For years, I came so close but fell short. Then, in my final year, I was finally able to get over the hump alongside my incredible teammates. This victory was more than just a game to me. It symbolized the adversity I had faced throughout my undergrad and showed me that I am capable of overcoming any obstacles that come my way. After experiencing this triumph in my graduating year, I take this mindset forward into the real world, feeling prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Sharing this moment with my teammates, especially those who had been part of that journey year after year, made it even more special.

Person you’ll be most proud to show your degree to:

My family – especially my parents. My parents are first- and second-generation Canadians, with my mom moving to Canada when she was just four years old. Both of them overcame such tremendous obstacles to become the first in their families to earn an undergraduate degree. I am beyond proud to continue on the path that they paved for me. From a young age, they instilled in me the value, and the privilege, of an education. But alongside that, they showed me the importance of being compassionate, courageous, and resilient, all traits that have made it possible for me to be here today. Through my parents, I have learned that earning a degree is not a single accomplishment, but a culmination of the strengths, values, and beliefs they have instilled in me over the years. This moment represents not just my journey, but everything they have worked for as well, and I could not be more proud to share it with them.

Best advice / insider tip for Mac students starting in September:

Where do I begin? These next four (or more) years will be some of the most transformative of your life. This is the time where you’ll start to understand who you are and begin to shape who you want to become. Surround yourself with people who empower you. Don’t let others dictate who you are. If something feels right, trust it. And if something feels wrong, don’t be afraid to walk away. Whether you realize it or not, the choices you make at Mac will help shape the person you become. One day, you’re a first-year ready to take on the world. Then suddenly, you’re graduating, and you realize you’re completely different than you once were. Just make sure those changes are for the better, so that by the time you graduate, you’ve become someone your younger self would be proud to look up to.