We asked the peer mentors to answer some questions about their time here at UConn and give some simple tips and tricks to navigating the campus. Meet Jon! A senior here at the University of Connecticut Majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Music with a minor in math.
Jonathon Don Santos
What semester is this for you?
8th semester (last semester)
When are you graduating?
2022
What’s your major?
ME bachelor of arts of music
Do you minor in anything or have a specific concentration within your major?
Minor in math
Where are you from?
Tolland Connecticut
Are you in a learning community? (which one) How has it helped you?
No
What on-campus activities/organizations are you involved in?
Peer mentor, Flag football (freshman year), and Mentor robotics off campus
Where is your favorite spot on campus to study or hangout?
To study: the 3rd floor of the lib by windows
To hang out: the Union or the music building
What is the easiest part of your academic career at UConn?
Freshman year was the easiest because the workload was light.
What is the hardest part of your academic career at UConn?
Second semester of sophomore year because it was the heaviest semester (workload wise), and Covid happened.
Any plans after graduation?
Interviewing for multiple jobs right now
One formal offer (Tracy California)
Plan on going to engineering
Owning a coffee shop in the next ten years
Owning a automotive boat shop
What is your advice to incoming freshmen (in your major or in general)?
Grandfather’s piece of advise was: “forty hours in the week you can have the weekend off”
Treat it like a job
Do you have any tips for navigating the campus?
Use the buses (make sure you know what the current app they are using because it changes a lot)
Know which buildings you can cut through to stay warm (the Student Union is great)
Wear gloves
How did you handle online schooling vs. in person schooling? Which do you like better?
In person is better. And for online schooling, “teamwork makes the dreamwork”
How was adjusting to life at UConn like for you as a freshman? Would you do anything differently?
It was tough adjusting. May have talked a little too much and got way too involved with too many people. Close connection friendships don’t happen overnight, but don’t get discouraged, and don’t overload yourself with too many people.
What resources are most helpful for the first years coming into the school of engineering?
Upperclassmen, peer mentors, get to know people, they’ll stick with you the whole time and help each other through adulting, some TAs are pretty good, some professors and pretty good, ask questions
Any fun facts?
Only started singing classically at UConn (dad says he’s a terrible singer, anything is possible)