Lauren LotkaMolecular Biology (Cell & Developmental Biology) Senior and pre-PhD College is unique in that there will likely not be a time in your life again where you are a part of a network of people who are there to solely help and support you. Think about it: there are professors, advisors, counselors, and many more who are all rooting for you, and it is their duty to support you and assist you toward reaching your goals. This may not be the case after you graduate so it is important to take advantage of this supportive network of people while you can. Some wise advice I gained my first year was asking questions means you are learning. In class, this means you are engaging with the material, and you are in touch with what you know and what you don’t know. But this idea can extend beyond what you are learning in your classes. Maybe you don’t know where your major can take you after graduation or you are not sure you are on the right path toward achieving your goals; there are people to help with that too. College can be hard sometimes, and I don't recommend that you do it alone. The longer I have been here, the more I find myself reaching out to others for help and guidance. In other words, learn from others’ mistakes so you don’t have to. Of course, this is college, and your primary goal is to learn. However, classes are challenging, and I believe the hardest part can be learning how to learn. College courses tend to go beyond the memorization that you may have done in high school. For many this is a difficult adjustment, but it is about finding the most effective study strategies that help you to understand the material and apply it while test taking. Luckily, there is a plethora of resources to help you do just that. First, there are professor and UTA office hours. Meeting with the professor can be invaluable if you are not understanding a concept taught in class because they are the one teaching it! Also, this is a great way to establish a relationship with the professor. However, all professors hold different style office hours and if they don’t seem to be working for you, UTA office hours are a great option as well. Likely, these are students who took the class and did well. However, if you find yourself needing more, then try one-on-one tutoring. The Study Lab located in the Gardner Steel Conference Center allows you to work one-on-one with a tutor who took the class and performed well. This is by appointment, so you can make it a part of your weekly schedule. The Mobile Study Lab on the Hillman ground floor is also a great option. These are drop in tutoring sessions with peer tutors who often times took that class. I believe this is a great option for classes that do not have UTAs. Sometimes I didn’t know I needed help until I needed it when I would be working on Organic Chemistry homework in Hillman. I could walk down to the ground floor and receive help immediately. It was also beneficial to hear other students’ questions and what they were struggling with, and often times they were other students in my class. An additional resource I have found helpful is the Writing Center located in the O’Hara Student Center (appointments are also available in Hillman). This has been invaluable for my writing classes so I can feel confident about my assignments. One-on-one appointments range from a half hour to an hour depending on your needs, and the online scheduler makes it easy if you know you have an essay coming up. Also, this is not limited to help with a writing course. If you are writing something (personal statements, cover letters, etc.), they can help you. But if we are being honest, college is a lot more than just your classes. It can be overwhelming and emotionally draining at times. I can’t say that I have not had an emotional breakdown in Hillman once or twice, but it does not need to be that way. Again, utilizing the network of people that surround you is key because they have gone through similar struggles. First, never hesitate to ask for emotional help of any kind. The Counseling Center has walk ins (M-F 9-12 & 1-4) and appointments which is amazing. It does not matter whether you believe your issues are small or large, they are there to help. Also, don’t forget about the Biology Advisors. While you have one mandatory meeting with them, you can meet with them as much as you want. Whenever you see their doors open, don’t be afraid to pop in and ask a question even if it’s a small one. They can help you with scheduling and directing you to other resources you may need. And, of course, there are peer advisors (like me) available to you too. We have office hours, and we want to help you. Now as a senior applying to PhD programs, I regret not talking to more people about the process, like the peer advisors. Find yourself asking the question "What do I want to be when I grow up?", The Career Center may be the place for you. Find out what kind of jobs people get with your major, receive help crafting your resume and cover letter and more. Emily Bennett who works as the Career Center deals specifically with students in STEM-related fields. Remember, there is no shame in asking questions. Set goals for yourself, and do whatever you need to do to achieve them. Having questions does not necessarily mean you are struggling but rather you have a greater awareness of what you need to be most successful. You don’t need to do this alone, and you aren’t doing this alone. Even on such a large campus it can feel lonely at times, but reach out to form those connections. You never know where they may lead you.
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January 2022
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