After years of struggling with procrastination, a Pathways Rexdale alum is preparing for university with a clearer understanding of himself.
Growing up in Rexdale, Isaac experienced both the strong sense of community and the challenges that came with it. “Living in Rexdale had its good moments and its bad moments,” he says. “Most of the time, it was peaceful and there were a lot of things to do.” He enjoyed spending time with friends, going for runs, and exploring the neighbourhood.
But there were moments when Isaac was exposed to violence in the neighbourhood. Seeing how it affected people influenced his interest in becoming a lawyer. “I wanted to make a difference,” he says. “I wanted to defend people who couldn’t advocate for themselves and support people who had been affected by violence.”
However, he knew that reaching that goal wouldn’t be easy. As a high school student, he found it challenging to keep up with his schoolwork. At home, the family computer was set up in the living room. With the TV playing in the background or his parents talking on the phone, Isaac had a hard time concentrating. “I lived in a loud household,” he recalls. “It was often difficult to study without being distracted by the noise.”
Assignments piled up, and Isaac often left them until the last minute. “I’d tell myself, ‘If I had just started working on it earlier, I know I could have gotten a better grade.’”
In Grade 10, Isaac started going to the Pathways Program in Rexdale after his mother encouraged him to attend tutoring for English and math, the subjects he found the most challenging. “The tutoring was really helpful,” he says. “It relieved so much stress because I could understand my coursework better.”
Just as importantly, Pathways gave him a quiet environment where he could concentrate and get his work done. Over time, he learned how to manage his workload, and his grades began to improve. “It made me realize that I am capable of achieving great grades and becoming successful,” he says.
Shortly after graduating, Isaac came across information about ADHD. “When I learned about it, I found that I related to most of the symptoms, like getting distracted easily and having a hard time staying focused. Everything started making sense.”
Isaac decided to get an assessment, and after a lengthy process, he was diagnosed with ADHD. “Getting assessed was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It helped me think about how I could work efficiently and do things differently.”
He now has a different perspective on his experience in high school. At the time, Isaac had blamed himself for not staying on top of his work, but after receiving the diagnosis, he realized that it hadn’t just been a lack of effort on his part. It was a challenge that required a different approach.
Isaac now structures his days to build routines that work for him, some of which he learned from attending Pathways’ workshops on study techniques and time management.
“I’ve created a schedule for myself and that makes my days much more organized,” Isaac says, adding that he tries to get work done earlier in the day to feel productive. “I’ve also noticed it’s easy for me to go off track if I spend too much time on my phone.”
Today, Isaac is working part-time while preparing for university. This fall, he’ll begin studying Law and Society at Toronto Metropolitan University, the first step to fulfilling his ambition to become a lawyer.
Looking back, Isaac knows his younger self would be surprised by how far he’s come since starting high school.
“It used to feel impossible to break out of my habits. Now I’m focused and ready for what’s next.”