Why did you choose Paper Science and Engineering (PSE)?
The scholarships were a great pull you into the program, but I stayed because I felt like my professors knew who I was and interacted with me more. I also felt that I had more resources and people to go to for problems in PSE.
What is your favorite thing about Paper Science and Engineering?
How close everyone is, and the hands on learning.
What is your favorite thing about NC State?
The campus can feel huge and you can lose yourself, but at the same time still run into someone you know regularly.
What advice would you offer to an incoming freshman?
Don’t be afraid to talk to the person sitting next to you. Even if you never talk again or only stay in touch during the semester, meeting new people is always good and chances are you’ll end up with a study partner (or group) for the semester.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
When I applied to NC State, I had the intention of going to vet school. The Chemical Engineering degree was a back-up that my parents wanted me to do in case I didn’t get in. Even after picking the PSE/CHE dual degree, I was going to do this, add an extra semester to get all of my pre-reqs for vet school out of the way. It was only after I found out about the salary difference (PSE is higher) that I decided not to. It was a good thing too, I took biology a couple years later and HATED it.
What has been the biggest obstacle you have faced thus far?
I heard someone say once that everyone hits a brick wall at some point while attending State. They were referring to a class, that no matter what you do, you cannot make a good grade in. As a student that made mostly A’s all through high school, nearly failing was not something that felt good. But acknowledging that sometimes material just doesn’t click, and that barely passing isn’t the end of the world, was something that really helped me once I was able to do it. Not being afraid of failure meant I actually started doing better in my classes, and instead of barely “making it”, I was doing better with this attitude, maybe even “thriving” some might say. Additionally, I was enjoying my college experience more.
