Major: Biomedical Sciences 

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Questions about Academics and COVID-19

 

What were your classes like in your first year or in your major/concentration, especially transitioning from Shen? 

Shen prepared me well for the transition from High School to college. The workload was a slight increase, but nothing I couldn't handle. I took mostly science/math classes and was able to succeed in all of them.

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What academic experiences have stood out to you at your college in either positive or negative ways?

Professors are ALWAYS willing to help when you are confused about a topic. There were so many outside sources you could use such as office hours, TA office hours, and a majority of my professors held review sessions that were optional but I took advantage of.

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How was your online learning experience at your college? What resources did your college provide you during this time?

My school before online classes already recorded most of our lectures, so I was already used to watching lectures online because I would often go back and review certain lectures if I missed something from in class. My school started having more active discussion boards because of online learning which TAs would answer questions every hour. It was easier to get in contact with people than waiting for a reply to an email.

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What did you college do well or poorly to support students and communities when COVID-19 first hit?

When COVID first hit UB moved all of their classes online but said students could remain on campus in their dorms. A week later we were on spring break and they said we were no longer allowed to stay on campus, and we weren't allowed to get our belongings until May, so for 3 months I basically lived off a week of clothes. Although the professors were a lot easier to contact when we went online and were really there for the students. My chem professor would often extend deadlines of tests and homework assignments.

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Questions about Student Life

 

If students are interested in your major/concentration, what extracurricular activities do you recommend they do at your college?

I used my first year as an adjustment period, so I wasn't really involved in any extracurriculars. I focused more on studying and school work, aswell as adjusting to my new life and making friends. I did start tutoring a lot of my friends though towards the end of first semester.

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What are common things to do on weekends? Do students commute back home for the weekend or are there events on campus?

Some students commute home for the weekend, I only did once because it's a 4 hour drive. Me and my friends would often just hang out in our dorms, play wii, study, or go out into Buffalo and go ice skating, bowling, etc.

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Do you have a job during the school year, or is it common for students to have on-campus jobs? What is that experience like?

I personally didn't have a job but some of my friends did and they just scheduled their classes in a row so they would have time to work. Some of my other friends worked on campus and thought it was an overall good experience.

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Extra Questions

 

What advice would your give to current Shen students when applying to your college?

UB is so fun and has a lot to offer. There are so many different activities to take a part of.

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What makes your college special to you?

As big as my school is, you see the same faces everyday. You become familiar with people and have you're own little family of friends.

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What do you wish you knew about your college when you were a senior at Shen?

There's a lot of walking from the dorms to campus. The dorms are on campus but its a 15 minute walk to class most days, and the buses were always packed.

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Before COVID-19, what was the housing like at your college? What would you recommend to Shen seniors to find their roommates?

I lived in a value quad (so basically a triple forced to be a quad) and at first I didn't enjoy it, there was no space and I wasn't comfortable with my roommates, but now we are super close because of how small our room was and are living together next year.