Obiter Dicta Issue 2 - September 15, 2014 | Page 7

OPINION Monday, September 15, 2014   7 My Second First Day Second chances don’t come often – I intend to make the most out of mine gleb matushansky › contributor M y second first day came just this past week. How the tables have turned… I first came to York University as a biotechnology student in 2006. To be honest, it was because I took the easy way out and decided to live at home. After having a less-thanstellar time in my chemistry classes, I realized that the dream of medical school was over; I had to decide what to do next, and I was clueless. On the one hand, history, psychology, and politics had always interested me – but what was I to do as a graduate? I knew I didn’t want to teach and I knew that I didn’t want to be an overqualified Starbucks barista (I don’t drink coffee and can’t make pretty shapes out of syrup, so that life wasn’t meant to be). I decided to focus on something that would have some real-world value, even if limited; thus began my foray into marketing. I wasn’t studious, I wasn’t engaged, and I wasn’t ambitious, so I coasted by until I graduated. I didn’t make many friends, didn’t explore opportunities, and didn’t realize how lucky I was to be a student. I was busy going out with my high scho