Beginning my college education was something I was anticipating with a great amount of excitement. I was going to be starting school in a whole new setting, where the information that I was gong to learn was pertinent to what I wanted to do later on life, which was go into the medical field. Staying in the STEM@º£½ÇÉçÇø helped me start and end my college career strong, and provided opportunities for me throughout the four years that I attended the University of Central º£½ÇÉçÇø.
My first year staying in STEM@º£½ÇÉçÇø allowed for me to be surrounded with like-minded individuals who were all working towards a similar goal. This atmosphere meant that if I needed help or advice, there was always someone around who was more than willing to get me the help I needed, from something as specific as a difficult topic from class to which courses I should be taking next semester. The importance of this was that I started off my college career strong, and that laid down a strong foundation for the years to come.
Not only did the STEM@º£½ÇÉçÇø provide me with a strong basis for academic success, it also helped me network and make connections that resulted in experiences far beyond anything I imagined. Through the friends and connections I made, I ended up participating in the Science and Society program, which allowed for me to go on a trip to Rwanda. The study abroad was one of the most life enriching experiences I have experienced and I would not have been driven to join in it if not for the doors that STEM@º£½ÇÉçÇø opened for me.
Through STEM@º£½ÇÉçÇø, I was encouraged to participate in the American Chemistry Society by my peers and professors. ACS provided me with a means of community outreach that was highly involved and consistent. When I eventually became an officer, I appreciated the leadership experience that I was provided with.
STEM Residential College in º£½ÇÉçÇø Hall was instrumental to my academic success, and provided me with friendships, connections, and experiences that genuinely allowed for me to achieve so much more than I could have imagined doing on my own.