Convocation countdown with…Yasmin Yaacoub

Program: Mathematics & Statistics

Hometown: Courtice, ON

Favourite course:

Mathematical Statistics (STATS 3D03). Despite it being my major, prior to taking this course I found myself not enjoying statistics as much as I had hoped. My math courses were my favourite, and I was even considering switching to the Mathematics Specialization. Mathematical Statistics completely reinvigorated my passion and love for the field. In this course, you really delve into the theory behind why the methods you used in second-year statistics courses actually work. The material was difficult, but I still found myself looking forward to lectures every day. I can say without a doubt that it inspired my desire to continue my studies in this field.

Person you’re most thankful to have met at Mac:

My best friend Nadia. We met in a group chat for incoming Math and Stats students a few weeks before coming to McMaster. By pure coincidence, we realized we were taking four of the same courses in our first semester and started chatting outside of the group. We helped each other get through the difficulties of first year, and over time became each other’s closest friends. University brings some of the best days and some of the hardest days of your life, and it’s such a privilege to have someone to celebrate the good ones with and support you through the hard ones. Five years later, I can’t imagine what my time at Mac would have looked like without Nadia. Without a doubt, our friendship is one I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Best Mac moment:

I’m most proud of all the students and peers I’ve been able to support in the Mathematics and Statistics community while at Mac. In my first couple of years, I was fortunate to be surrounded by amazing instructors and upper-year students who nurtured my love of mathematics (Dr. Caroline Junkins, Dr. Michel Alexis, Mike Cummings, Emma Naguit, and many more). They inspired me to carry that forward and support incoming students in the years that followed. During my time at Mac, I’ve worn many hats that allowed me to do this. I’ve been a TA for introductory mathematics and statistics courses since my second year, helped develop the MacPRIME program for incoming Math and Stats Gateway students, served as Co-President of the McMaster Math and Stats Society, worked as a Welcome Week representative and coordinator, been a Co-op Ambassador for the Faculty of Science, served on the EDII committee for Math and Stats, and been a Peer Mentor with the McMaster Science Society, just to name a few. I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished in these roles, and I hope I was able to support students in their academic journeys and help nurture their love of math.

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

My parents. I’m incredibly grateful for everything they’ve done for me up to this point. Since I was a kid, they’ve always nurtured my love of learning and supported me through every phase of my life. More than that, they’ve always been proud of me no matter what. I have a tendency to set high goals and be hard on myself if I don’t achieve them, but they’re always there to remind me of how meaningful my accomplishments are. Even when I forget to celebrate my wins—big or small—they’ve been on the sidelines celebrating for me. So I’m really proud to show them my degree and tell them that I did it—and that it couldn’t have been done without them.

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

An idea I try to live by, which is especially fitting as a statistics student, is “regression to the mean.” In my daily life, I think of it as a reminder that bad days will happen. Things won’t always go as expected, and you might miss opportunities you wish you had taken. But in the end, these are just single data points—they don’t define who you are on their own. So basically—just do it. Whatever came to mind when you read that, go for it. University brings so many new opportunities, and being surrounded by so many new people can feel overwhelming or even intimidating. Imposter syndrome might creep in and make you doubt yourself. But you don’t know what could happen unless you try. And if it doesn’t work out, that’s okay—it’s just one event, one data point. In a sea of thousands, they will always regress toward the mean.