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In 20 words or less, what is the best thing about being part of this department?
The professors and the students

What is your biggest piece of advice to first years and sophomores about getting connected to this department?
Introduce yourself to every professor you can. I would start with chem department because they are the best, (NOT biased) but slowly expand to other departments as well. K is such a tight community and it will surprise you how much intersecting there is.

What is something you know now that you wish you could tell your first-year self?
Don’t judge yourself too hard. Just do what you know you should, one step at a time and everything will be okay. It’s also okay to take time for yourself or take a break. Burnout is real and we aren’t robots.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned at K?
People don’t stay in your life forever. It’s better to appreciate the time you have together while you are with them, rather then when they are gone.

What has been your favorite class at K? 

I took Organic I and Calc III at the same time and since they were both very visual classes, they forced me to think in a completely new way. My professors also pushed me farther than I would have ever imagined. I particularly recommend Calc III to anyone who has taken Calc II and enjoys math.

How have you taken advantage of the flexible curriculum or experienced breadth?

I was able to go to New Zealand for 6 months and still graduate on time. Also no Gen Eds meant I could easily start my major and fill in the empty slots with pre med prerequisites. I also got to take lots of music and math classes.

What experiential education opportunities have you participated in?
I’m a civic engagement scholar for swim for success. I think everyone should make the time to engage in service learning while they are students at K. The CCE has so many programs to choose from that you’ll be able to find one that works best for you and your schedule.

What is your SIP?
I’m doing an organic chemistry based research SIP where I’m synthesizing a compound that’s naturally produced in a sea slug. I’m adding/removing functional groups and testing it’s biological activity in the hopes of producing a new drug for type II diabetes.

What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
Medical degree -> Physician -> Luxury cabin in the mountains.

What is a random fun fact about you?
My favorite thing to eat is my mom’s spaghetti bolognese.