Growth has never come from taking the easiest route. 

Whether she's pushing through a demanding workout with the Varsity Blues track and field team, working through complex neuroscience concepts, or spending hours mastering calculus problems, Alexandra Tenn has always believed that meaningful progress comes from embracing challenges rather than avoiding them. 

At the University of Toronto, she has found an environment that rewards curiosity, resilience and hard work. These qualities have shaped her journey both in the classroom and on the track. 

A student in the Faculty of Arts & Science and University College, Tenn is pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Physiology. Her academic ambitions match her competitive drive, combining a passion for scientific discovery with a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. 

"I chose the University of Toronto because I knew it would challenge me," Tenn said. "Especially for students hoping to pursue medicine, there is often pressure to choose a path that feels safest for achieving a high GPA. While I understand that perspective, I believe medicine, and life in general, is about more than grades. It is important to put yourself in environments that challenges you, because that is how you develop the skills, mindset, and confidence to trust yourself and your ability to put in the work to achieve your goals." 

Looking back, it's a decision she hasn't regretted. 

"To me, U of T does this exceptionally well," she said. "It pushes you to think critically, work hard and grow, while also providing the support and opportunities to help you succeed. Looking back on my time here so far, I wouldn't have chosen a different path. The challenge has been one of the most rewarding parts of my university experience." 

That willingness to embrace challenges has been a defining characteristic long before Tenn arrived in Toronto. Growing up in British Columbia, she spent much of her childhood outdoors with her family, developing a curiosity about the natural world. At the same time, her parents inspired two complementary ways of thinking that continue to shape her today. 

"Growing up in British Columbia, I developed a passion for understanding the living world," she said. "My father's ability to build, fix and teach himself almost anything taught me to approach problems analytically, while my compassionate mother inspired me to understand and help people." 

Those influences naturally led her toward Neuroscience and Physiology, fields that allow her to explore both the science behind the human body and the people it serves. 

"I was drawn not only to understanding how the human body functions, but also to understanding the mechanisms behind why things go wrong and how those changes affect people's health and livelihoods." 

That passion has inspired a clear vision for the future. Tenn hopes to attend medical school before pursuing a career as a rural emergency medicine physician, helping improve access to healthcare in underserved Canadian communities. 

"My studies in Neuroscience and Physiology have strengthened my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while teaching me to consider complex problems from multiple perspectives before reaching a conclusion," she said. "They have also deepened my understanding of how factors such as lifestyle, access to care and community environments shape health outcomes. This is an understanding that is especially important for addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities." 

Outside the classroom, Tenn has continued expanding her perspective through opportunities available within the Faculty of Arts & Science. Through the Department of Physiology, she is a student in the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research Translational Biology and Engineering Program, where she participates in clinical market research that bridges scientific discovery with real-world healthcare. 

"I have gained insight into the pathway from scientific discovery to clinical implementation," she said. "I have had the opportunity to work alongside engineers, researchers and healthcare professionals, and I have come to value this collaborative, translational approach to science. It is an approach made possible by the University of Toronto's ability to bridge disciplines and bring together expertise from across multiple faculties." 

As demanding as her academic schedule can be, Tenn says being a Varsity Blues student-athlete has strengthened rather than complicated her university experience. 

"I am grateful for our team schedule because having dedicated time away from school to be active and spend time with my teammates is so important for both physical and mental health," she said. "Without those six practices each week, I think I would go a little stir crazy!" 

The structure of varsity athletics has also helped her become more intentional with her time. 

"Knowing I have practice means that when I sit down to study, I try my best to eliminate distractions and make every hour count," Tenn said. "There simply isn't enough time to procrastinate, so track has pushed me to develop skills in working efficiently, staying organized, and setting goals when I sit down to do work." 

This work ethic and determination has reaped its rewards. Tenn has garnered U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian honours, recognizing her achievements in the classroom as a varsity student-athlete. Additionally, as part of the Varsity Blues 4x200-metre relay team she has competed at both OUA and U SPORTS Championships over the last two seasons earning Top 5 results provincially and Top 10 nationally.

On the track, one moment stands above the rest though as a memory she will continue to carry. A moment of clarity and support that came while running the 4x400-metre relay at Penn State National Open. 

"I will always remember stepping onto the track with my relay teammates and looking over to see the rest of the team lined up along the rail, cheering us on," she said. "In that moment, I felt incredibly grateful for my teammates, who have become like family, for my coaches, who believed in me and helped me get there, and for the opportunity to represent the University of Toronto alongside them. The energy on the track on that specific day is something I'll never forget." 

Her perseverance extends well beyond the track though. One of Tenn's favourite academic memories comes from a challenge that many first-year students can relate to: calculus. 

"Looking back now, one of my favourite academic memories is spending countless hours at the Math Learning Centre during my first year," she laughed. "I was struggling with calculus but refused to accept defeat. I still remember the look of dread on the TAs' faces as I walked in, once again, carrying yet another absurdly long list of questions." 

The persistence eventually paid off. 

"That experience taught me that while university is full of opportunities, you truly get out of it what you put in. You have the agency to shape your own experience by pursuing the opportunities that matter most to you." 

Whether she's conducting research, preparing for medical school, or competing in a Varsity Blues uniform, Tenn continues to seek opportunities that challenge her to grow. She has discovered that success isn't measured simply by grades or results. It comes from embracing difficult experiences, learning from them, and using those lessons to serve others.  

For Tenn, that's exactly what the University of Toronto experience has been all about.