Some of the meaningful connections that I made here at FAU, both personally and professionally, started with having small talk with others, generally in a class or office setting. As an extrovert, it was much easier for me to connect with others through small chats, but a more effective way for all students to make meaningful connections is to get involved in extracurricular activities. Join an organization! FAU has over three hundred organizations that can fit different hobbies and career paths, which can be found on Owl Central. Getting involved will help make meaningful connections that can last a lifetime.
Most definitely. I am part of three organizations: Pre-Health Ambassadors, Global Medical Brigades, and Blood Pressure Screening Association. Through clubs like these, I was able to connect with other students and Pre-health faculty, all of which have helped me in my academic and personal life. As a student-leader, I try to share information, resources, and anything that I know of with other students to help them succeed at what they want to do. Being a part of a club will open students to a range of opportunities, assist with networking, help develop soft skills and make meaningful connections.
The only person who knows a person better is themselves, so if a student wants to participate in research, it is essential to look for research that aligns with their interests. The FAU Research Hub and Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI) are great places for students to research FAU's research opportunities. But it does not stop there; some of my friends do research that is not a part of FAU, but it is in the area they live. I am currently a part of a research lab called Tiny Earth, and I learned about this by researching what it was about, then applied for it.
Funny enough, my favorite Biology moment caused me much stress in the beginning. During my first two semesters as a freshman, I took Biodiversity and Bio Principles with Dr. Brooks. Through the struggles of these two classes, I can say that I have learned how to study, and most importantly, I learned about the many resources FAU offers to help us succeed. Not only that, but I have also made connections with students that are on the same pre-med path as me, some of whom are my closest friends up until this present day.
