Hi!! I feel crazy old to say that my freshman year was almost three years ago!! I still remember first getting into USC and struggling to figure out what the dining hall names were. I had accidentally thought EVK (Everybody’s Kitchen) was called EBK for the longest time. I don’t even know how long that stuck around for, but I eventually corrected myself LOL.
In all seriousness, though, I have done a lot of reflecting in my time at USC. I have developed some really amazing friendships and relationships with my professors and faculty. I have learned more about myself as a person both academically and socially. I have picked up on some new hobbies while also remembering things I enjoyed doing years ago.
As a freshman, I was really enthusiastic about joining clubs and getting involved on campus. I really wanted to spend time building friendships with different people, and although this is still a value that is important to me, I have been able to cultivate relationships with people instead of searching for new connections! I am super grateful for my support system! Some of these people are peers from my classes, while some are from my work experiences on campus.
I was involved in the FSAE (Formula Society of Automotive Engineers) composites subteam as a freshman, and I spent a lot of time in the shop learning more about the industry of mechanical engineering. Even as an environmental engineering major, I did not feel out of place, and the community in that shop was very welcoming. Outside of racing, I was a SWE (Society of Women Engineers) Ambassador, where I helped to host S.T.E.M. events for local high schools, host events on campus for other women in engineering, and work in a cohort to enhance my resume and networking skills. This was a very valuable experience, as I am still close with the women of my cohort to this day! I learned a lot just by being enthusiastic about joining clubs and organizations at USC. These opportunities were priceless, and if I could go back and repeat my freshman year, I would still participate in these extracurriculars.
Outside of school, I worked as a barista at the main Starbucks in the USC Village. This was a part time job that I needed, and I was nervous about the workload while being a full time student. However, I was able to learn many time management skills due to my hours, and this has helped me to be an even better student than I would’ve been without working. I have met some really cool people as well while working at Starbucks. The store is composed mostly of students at USC or other young adults, and working in an environment where everyone has similar workloads was encouraging for me as a freshman. This actually even motivated me to do better in my classes!
Speaking of which, I spent a lot of my time in classes and doing homework (welcome to the engineering life). Every second of studying was worth it, though! I formed study groups and found who I work best with. These are people I still find time to study and hang out with now! It is incredibly important to find that group or space to work in. Having a buddy who can motivate your workload is incredibly important in such a fast paced environment. I am forever grateful for my study sessions with my friends. I would literally have failed my exams without them!
Now, the summer after freshman year has a lot of pressure for absolutely no reason at all! Students are constantly stressed about internships and research, but this summer is really meant for adjusting to being in college. If that means getting an internship experience for you, then that is amazing for you. If that means working at Starbucks, then do that. For me, I spent time with my family, and I do not regret it or feel behind! I would recommend doing what you value, as there will be so many amazing opportunities to do work in your field. I spent the summer binge watching television, playing games with my younger brother, and going to state fairs in Virginia with my friends who were also home for the summer. I would not change how I spent it at all : )
One really cool opportunity that presented itself to me was a NASA invite to see the initial building of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope that NASA plans to send out into outer space in May of 2027. I was invited because my Direct Air Capture research to chemically alter carbon dioxide emissions in the air was awarded by NASA. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I am so excited for the launch of the telescope that is 100 times stronger than the Hubble Telescope!!
Whether it’s sleeping on the sofa, or getting invited by NASA, whatever you do your first summer after freshman year, just remember that it will be as amazing as you make it. Everything will be okay, I promise, and one day you also will have such cool stories to share. Just remember what you are passionate about and make sure to stick to it. And with that, Sejal out!
