Major: Nursing

Email: Malomegh@gmail.com

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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? 

I think Shen fully prepared us for the college classes. In college, time management is crucial because your professors are not constantly telling you when the due dates are. It is important to write down all of your assignments in each class so you do not forget about one or wait until the last second to do them.

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

The courses in high school and college are different because college courses are condensed into one semester, where in high school you get the entire year to learn about a particular subject. But, you get to learn so much more in college because you have more time in your schedule to fit in courses that interest you.

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

I think my college worked well with the students with learning on Zoom. My professors adjusted the curriculum so the assignments could be completed online. For example, instead of having a final paper in my intro to writing course, our research paper would also be graded as our final.

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

In the beginning, my college (Merrimack) gave us an extra week of spring break to figure out what was going to happen with the virus. When the cases started to rise during that week, they told us that we were going to finish the semester completely online. The president of the college would have a zoom meeting where everyone could watch and ask questions about the situation and what his plans were. I think my college handled the situation very well and the president happy to talk to anyone who had questions about the pandemic.

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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?

At my college, I am the Vice President of the nursing club and I am an orientation leader. I think if your major is nursing or in the scope of health sciences, you should definitely join a club that is related to health sciences, so you can get involved at your campus and meet other people that are interested in the same things as you.

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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?

Merrimack is very similar to Siena, where a lot of people are from the area. This means that there are many locals, so some do go back home for the weekend but many stay to do fun activities on campus. The office of student involvement hosts activities like big prize bingo, painting, trips to bowling/laser tag and in the winter, a trip to a mountain to go tubing. These activities are either free or they are discounted at a low price for students.

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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?

There are many jobs at my college. Some of my friends work as tour guides for the college, and try get to choose what days they can work, and how many tours they would like to give. If you would like to work at the gym, you could become certified to teach a class to students like spinning, HIIT, and kick boxing.

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Extra Questions

 

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

I think you should try to visit the college to get a feel for their college spirit. With coronavirus, you can look at their Instagram or Facebook, go on a virtual tour or follow people who are upperclassmen to see everything that happens during the year.

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What makes your college special to you?

I love Merrimack because everyone at my college is so nice! Everyone I pass on the way to the dining hall or to classes smiles or holds the door open for you, even when you are too far away. Also, the professors are there to help you every step of the way, all you have to do is ask!

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

If you keep your door open in your dorm and go to events at the college, you will meet new people and make friends. In addition, ask your professor questions or go to office hours. Even if you think the question is stupid, there is probably another student who has the same question.

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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?

Personally, I went random for a roommate and I did not have any problems! I was not best friends with her, but we were good roommates because we respected each other’s spaces and communicated with each other. I think it’s better to go random than to choose a roommate because if you have problems with them, you will not feel guilty about switching rooms because you didn’t not choose each other. But if you do choose to pick your roommate, I think it is important to ask them a lot of questions about their schedule and hobbies before you decide.

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Is there anything else you'd like to share about your college experience that hasn't been addressed yet in this questionnaire?

I think your college experience depends on how much you decide to put yourself out there. I know it is scary to go out of your comfort zone, but you will meet so many people once when you go to activities at your school. As they say at my school, make it your Merrimack!