About Us

• Student organization involvement: Debate Union; Ukrainian Student Association vice president
• Hobbies: Gym and stretching; reading books; thrifting
• Additional jobs: Student life assistant for Student Activities

• Study spot (on or off-campus): Gleason Library and the third floor stacks in Rush Rhees Library
• Place to relax on campus outside of my dorm room: The couches in the Hirst Lounge are the perfect spot to unwind, catch up with friends, or relax between classes.
• Food on campus: Quesadillas from The Pit
• Thing to do off-campus: I love thrifting in downtown Rochester.
• Way to meet new people on campus and in the Rochester community: My favorite way to meet new people is by joining clubs or attending campus events. However, the process also happens naturally through classes, group projects, and occasional dinners with friends.

My biggest worry was finding a group of friends on campus during Welcome Week. I was anxious about fitting in and meeting people, but I soon realized that everyone was in the same situation—eager to connect and make new friends. If I could give my younger self advice, I would say: Relax and be yourself. Orientation is designed to help new students meet each other, and friendships will form naturally.

I wish I had known about all the academic resources the University provides and how supportive the community is.

I recommend creating multiple versions of your schedule in UR Student, since you may not get into all the classes you originally planned to take. Having at least two backup schedules will make the registration process much smoother and less stressful.

I have an eight-month-old brother.

• Student organization involvement: Engineers Without Borders, Ma'Frisah, National Society of Black Engineers
• Hobbies: Reading books, watching movies (specifically rom coms), and listening to music (especially Afrobeats and classical music)

• Favorite study spot (on or off-campus): Morey Hall and the underground stacks in Rush Rhees Library
• Favorite place to relax on campus outside of your dorm room: The Bridge Lounge on the fourth floor of Wilson Commons is great place to hang out and watch the sunset.
• Favorite food on campus: Danforth Dining Center, Sol Bowl in The Pit, Frappuccinos from Starbucks, subs from Rocky's Sub Shop & Lounge
• Favorite thing to do off-campus: Discount shopping at Burlington, grabbing boba at Taichi Bubble Tea, and exploring the Memorial Art Gallery

My biggest worry was not adapting properly. But, if you join student organizations and attend campus events, you'll meet new people and find yourself more comfortable in no time.

I wish I knew about the flexibility of the curriculum. For example, I didn’t know that you could do a custom concentration within the biomedical engineering program.

Be patient and try not to stress about not getting your first choice of courses.

I speak three languages.

• Student organization involvement: Asian-American Student Union, Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Hobbies: Playing guitar
• Additional jobs: Building manager, Genesee and Spurrier halls

• Favorite study spot (on or off-campus): Lam Square (usually called Q&I)
• Favorite place to relax on campus outside of your dorm room: Sigma Phi Epsilon living room
• Favorite food on campus: Danforth Dining Center
• Favorite thing to do off-campus: My favorite places to eat off campus are Seoul House, Dinosaur BBQ, and Simply Crepes.

Making friends was probably my biggest fear. I would tell myself just to not worry about the little things and just try to have fun—at least for Welcome Week!

I wish I knew more about the satisfactory/fail (S/F) option and clusters. I think they're great for trying new things and definitely helped me find my way to my major!

My best piece of advice for fall course registration day in August is to not really worry about major requirements and just try some classes out during your first semester.

I applied to a music conservatory!

• Student organization involvement: Delta Gamma, Project LTF
• Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, reading, and baking
• Additional jobs: Student engagement assistant at Simon Business School's Office of Student Engagement; math teaching assistant (formerly)

• Favorite study spot (on or off-campus): Periodical Reading Room or Lam Square (usually called Q&I)
• Favorite place to relax on campus outside of your dorm room: Eastman Quad (when the weather is nice!)
• Favorite food on campus: California Rollin II or the Wegmans meals from Hillside Market
• Favorite thing to do off-campus: Going to Trader Joe's with friends during the weekend or going to College Town! My restaurant recommendations are E Suki, Seoul House, and Rev BBQ.

My biggest worry coming into Rochester was not being able to find a solid group of friends that I felt a connection with, but the advice I would give my younger self is not to be afraid to reach out to new people because all incoming new students are also feeling the same way. Everyone is going through the same process of starting a new era and it's a great opportunity to bond with others!

The academics at Rochester are very flexible if you aren't 100% sure what you want to major in. You don't have to fully declare your major until the end of your sophomore year, so you have a good amount of time to explore your interests. As someone who had second thoughts about what I wanted to major in, not having the pressure to immediately declare my major was so relieving.

My best piece advice for registration is to have backup courses because it's not guaranteed to get your first choices on registration day. Having backup courses will help you be prepared in case something doesn't go as planned!

I've lived in four different states.

• Student organization involvement: Alpha Phi Omega, American Sign Language Club, Book Club, Gamma Phi Beta, Transfer Student Organization, and Women's Club Volleyball
• Hobbies: I love to read books, crochet, paint and do other crafts, as well as go on nature walks and watch the sunset! I also really like to hang out with friends, whether that be studying, yapping, or driving.
• Additional jobs: I work at the Interfaith Chapel to dishwasher for Hillel.

• Favorite study spot (on or off-campus): Lam Square (usually called Q&I) and the Starbucks lounge on the third floor of Wilson Commons
• Favorite place to relax on campus outside of your dorm room: Definitely the Eastman Quad!
• Favorite food on campus: Cheddar broccoli at The Pit
• Favorite things to do off-campus: I've gone to the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) a few times which has been really fun to see all of the artwork that changes in and out. I also love to go to small cafes and restaurants like Village Bakery and Boulder Coffee, and visit sightseeing spots like High Falls and the Genesee Riverway Trail.

My biggest worry was being a transfer student and coming into the University as a sophomore. I felt that everyone my year would already have their own friends and cliques and it would be harder to find my people. However, the advice I would give is to go through it, no matter how nervous you may be, and trust the process that everything will be okay and it'll work out all for the better in the end.

I wish I knew more about the number of resources that the River Campus Libraries offer. It took me a year to finally utilize checking a book out from the library! But now that I've used some of these resources, I'm very glad that the University has so many options for students to expand their knowledge with.

Be prepared and know what your intended major might be and the courses needed for that major. Also remember to be flexible since courses fill up quickly—it's always best to have a backup plan!

I own a motorcycle.