As the year draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on launching TutorLyft and how far I’ve come since I was a struggling student myself. I never thought I would find my way to enjoying school again, especially as an adult. Now that I can look back, I’d like to share some wisdom with my younger self, and with the students who have become part of the TutorLyft community.
My story is one of transformation — from academic ease to challenge, from aimlessness to finding purpose, and learning the true value of support.
Dear Younger Me,
I'm writing this letter to you because you feel like you’ll never enjoy school again. You loved school as a young kid, and now you’re worried you’re not so bright after all. But you have a bright future ahead — you just have to learn some lessons first about the power of hard work, finding your inner spark, and the importance of leaning on people who inspire you.
This is my story:
In my elementary years, academics were a breeze. My report cards were a parade of A's, and I was a frontrunner in my class. Everything seemed bright and promising. However, high school marked a drastic turn. For the first time, I faced academic struggles. C's replaced my usual A's, and my interests shifted from studies to experimenting with alcohol, attending parties, and awkward attempts at socializing.
As my academic performance declined, I remained indifferent — a fact that didn't go unnoticed by my ever-supportive parents, who began to show signs of concern. Additionally, high school brought new challenges: I gained weight and became a target for bullying because of my race. These experiences were foreign and difficult for me.
The final year of high school was my lowest point. While my peers were discussing their university plans excitedly, I felt utterly lost. The thought of enduring four more years of education was unappealing, especially with my subpar grades preventing me from applying to top universities. I was at a crossroads, unsure of my future and which path I should take.
2012
In an effort to ease my parents' worries, I applied to a local university. Against all odds, I was accepted to study journalism. At the time I thought of becoming a sports announcer. However, this aspiration was short-lived. Within a few months my attendance dwindled. By the end of the first semester, I had completely withdrawn from my classes.
I rationalized this setback by telling myself that journalism wasn't the right fit for me. After all, I was still young and had time on my side to figure things out. This period of uncertainty led me to a phase of inactivity. I found myself at home, passing the days in a haze of reality TV.
2013
Choosing the path of least resistance, I decided to join my father's automotive shop. It seemed like an easy solution — a touch of nepotism, perhaps? My dad, a passionate car enthusiast, had always envisioned me taking over the business upon his retirement. Despite his apparent satisfaction with my new direction, I realized from the beginning that my heart wasn't in it. But for the first time in a long while my life seemed to have a semblance of a plan, and that eased the guilt I was feeling.
My stint at the shop lasted six months. I enrolled in a trade school for automotive studies, but I again dropped out within weeks. The moment when I told my dad I wouldn't be fulfilling his dream was one of the toughest of my life. I saw his disappointment, but thankfully, I also saw his understanding. Both he and my mom recognized my need to find my own path.
In search of direction, I started working at a restaurant and contemplated giving university another try. My academic record meant I had to first improve my high school grades at a community college. I enrolled with new determination, and after a year, I was accepted into the University of British Columbia. Considering my tumultuous academic history, this was a significant achievement.
2014
I arrived on campus that year, brimming with a false sense of certainty. Although my career aspirations remained unclear, I believed that enrolling in a variety of courses was a step forward. Being two years older than most of my peers who were fresh out of high school was a source of embarrassment for me, but I kept those feelings to myself.
Externally, my life seemed to be on the upswing. I could sense my parents’ pride, a feeling they hadn't experienced in quite some time. Internally, however, I was far from content. Despite the outward improvements in my life, I felt out of place and unhappy. In a familiar pattern, I withdrew from university — marking the third time I had dropped out of a post-secondary program.
In hindsight, I recognize the wasted opportunity for a world-class education and that accessing higher learning at all is an immense privilege. But back then, my indifference overshadowed these realities. One night, I packed my bags and quietly returned home. I was aware of the disappointment my departure would cause my parents, but I felt indifferent. I’m still not sure the exact reasons for my third dropout, but it was a decision that echoed my ongoing search for purpose.
2015
At this juncture, I felt more adrift than ever before. I isolated myself from my friends, due to the embarrassment I felt about being “behind schedule” in my life. I found myself back at home, back at the same restaurant job. My goal became to climb the ladder towards a restaurant management position. The hospitality industry wasn't my passion, but it held enough interest for me to pursue a two-year diploma in hospitality management.
This diploma represented a significant milestone for me. It was my first academic achievement in a very long time, tangible proof of progress amidst a sea of uncertainties and setbacks.
2017
As I neared the completion of my hospitality diploma, something transformative happened — I began to genuinely enjoy my academic pursuits. Recognizing that a lifelong career in the demanding world of restaurants and hotels was not my ideal, I set my sights on a new goal: I applied to the British Columbia Institute of Technology. I was accepted into the Business program for a BA. The difference was, this time, my return to education was driven by my own desire — not external pressures from my parents or the successes of my peers.
Despite this newfound enthusiasm, the challenges began immediately. I remember attending my first Business Math class and feeling completely overwhelmed. Was this prof speaking a foreign language? My initial instinct was to retreat and drop out. However, being older (and perhaps wiser), I chose a different path: seeking help.
I went through several of the tutors available at the university, but the breakthrough came when my mother introduced me to a tutor who not only helped me understand the material, but also made learning an enjoyable and exciting experience (he was also the first ever tutor on TutorLyft!). Under his guidance, my academic performance soared. This tutor didn't just help me boost my grades to 90s; he fundamentally altered the course of my life, instilling a newfound confidence in me. I looked forward to each session, eager to learn and improve.
His impact is a testament to the critical role the right tutor can play in someone's educational journey.
2019
With my business degree in hand, an extraordinary opportunity presented itself: a chance to work at a startup in Hong Kong. This was truly uncharted territory for me, and I eagerly embraced the chance: Seeing it not only as a stepping stone in my professional journey but also as a platform for personal growth. For anyone contemplating an extended stay abroad, I wholeheartedly endorse it. The experience is invaluable and is something I will cherish forever.
However, my adventure in Hong Kong was shorter than anticipated. After about a year, unforeseen circumstances related to the local protests forced me to reconsider my plans. I had been prepared to build a life there, but fate had other plans. I returned home, and just a few months later, the world was in the grip of the pandemic, altering my life in unimaginable ways, just like everyone else’s.
2020
With an abundance of time during the pandemic I embarked on a new job, drawing inspiration from my stint in Hong Kong. This period of introspection also reignited my interest in studying. Being confined at home only accelerated my decision to return to school. After thorough research, I discovered a program that piqued my interest — a Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence.
Reflecting on my journey, it felt surreal to realize that after all the twists and turns, not only was I embarking on a graduate degree, but it was a decision fueled entirely by my own desire and choice. This realization marked a significant milestone in my life, symbolizing personal growth and the pursuit of a passion for learning that I had discovered along the way.
2021 to Today
The past few years have been a whirlwind of triumphs and challenges. Working with the same tutor I’ve had since 2017, I not only completed my graduate degree in Artificial Intelligence but also earned an MBA from one of Canada's top universities. These achievements paved the way for me to launch TutorLyft, a venture inspired by my own experiences. My mission with TutorLyft is to ensure that every student receives the necessary support to unlock their fullest potential. My experience navigating academic struggles and the feeling of isolation it brings has made me aim to create a supportive platform for others who are struggling with their educational journey.
Reflecting on my path, I am filled with pride for how far I've come since those days of uncertainty over a decade ago. And yet, I know this is just the beginning.
So to my younger self, if I could offer you some advice, it would be this: You don't need to have everything figured out at 17. You are exactly where you need to be. Stop comparing yourself to others; your journey is uniquely yours. Life will undoubtedly bring times when it seems the darkness will never lift, but I assure you, it will. Life is a tapestry of highs and lows, and experiencing the spectrum of emotions is the essence of our humanity.
To all TutorLyft students, I want to say that your struggles are real, and I know the fear and uncertainty you’re feeling – I’ve felt it, too. But you can find your path, and live a life filled with purpose, passion, and joy. Failing a class or dropping out of a program is not the end of your story. It’s the beginning of finding your way to the life you’re meant to live.
With love and understanding,
Omar
