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 Jenny! A senior here at the University of Connecticut Majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Biomechanics and Mechanobiology.
Jenny Field
What semester is this for you?
8th semester
When are you graduating?
May 2022
What’s your major?
Biomedical Engineering
Do you minor in anything or have a specific concentration within your major?
Concentration in Biomechanics and Mechanobiology
Where are you from?
Brentwood, New Hampshire
Are you in a learning community? (which one) How has it helped you?
Honors Program; Helped me meet like-minded people
What on-campus activities/organizations are you involved in?
I am the President of Confetti for Kids, a fundraising club that buys birthday presents for foster kids in Connecticut. I also participate in intramural soccer and volleyball. HuskyThon is one of my favorite activities.
Where is your favorite spot on campus to study or hangout?
The South Lawn is the perfect place to relax, have lunch, or play games like frisbee and Spike Ball
What is the easiest part of your academic career at uconn?
The easiest part of my academic career was keeping up with deadlines and staying organized. Content Area classes outside of #3 were the easiest for me.
What is the hardest part of your academic career at uconn?
The hardest part of my academic career was transitioning in and out of online classes. I lost a lot of my attention span.
Any plans after graduation?
I signed on with Draeger Medical in Andover, Mass. I will be doing Validation and Integration Engineering on patient monitoring systems!
What is your advice to incoming freshmen (in your major or in general)?
My advice is to try and get to know your professors. Especially in the gen-ed classes that have 300+ students, it’s still possible to make connections. It’ll be especially helpful if you need letters of recommendation for internships or graduate school!
Do you have any tips for navigating the campus?
Remember that everyone gets lost! Google Maps has good directions and you won’t be the only one using it
How did you handle online schooling vs in person schooling? Which do you like better?
Online schooling tested everyone in different ways. Learning to remain focused through a screen with all of the possible distractions was a big challenge but I think students are more resilient. There are definitely pros and cons of each learning modality, but I do like being in person. While I can’t roll out of bed and be “in class” 10 seconds later, I’m more engaged with the professor and I like learning with others. During online, you can’t really read the room and see if others are as confused as you may be.
How was adjusting to life at uconn like for you as a freshman? Would you do anything differently?
I think it’s important to get out of your comfort zone a bit. I was afraid to go to parties as a freshman because I didn’t want to break rules and wanted to fit in and make friends. I found out that you can go to parties to make friends, but you can also join clubs and play sports! Don’t be afraid to change friend groups too! There’s sometimes a lot of pressure that you have to “Meet your bridesmaids” in college but it can put too much pressure on having to stay friends with people who may not have your best interest.
What resources are most helpful for the first years coming into the school of engineering?
I think groups like the Peer Mentors are the most important. Going to an Advisor is great, but sometimes you get a sugar coated answer from someone who hasn’t gone through the program. Asking other students will get you the real answers that you’re looking for. SI sessions are really helpful, and just in general going to class and being engaged.
Any fun facts?
This might not be super fun but I can read and write backwards and upside down.