Monthly Archives: February 2016

I finally got to start some training with admissions this week, and, by next fall, I will be an official Admissions Ambassador. This was one of the roles I applied for earlier this winter, and was accepted to just a couple weeks ago. Admissions Ambassadors are responsible for giving tours to prospective students and their families and answering any questions they might have during the course of the route.

We are some of the first Wentworth students that applying students will meet, so a lot rests on our shoulders. I know that much of my decision to attend Wentworth was made during a visit. Individually, the faculty had a greater effect on me than the students did. The thing that really drew me in, however, was the way that the math department interacted with students and prospective students.

On an event day, I went to tour with the applied math majors, just for kicks and giggles; I was already accepted into the computer science program at Wentworth and several other colleges. The group I was touring with only had 5 people, so I was able to take a careful look at everything. There were a couple math majors there to help out, and the relationship they had with the faculty was just outstanding. They could respect their teachers as humans, as mentors, and as superiors. I really think those things are necessary if a student is to get the most out of education, or even life in general.

Anyways, I really wanted what they had and I thought Wentworth could do that for me. I have been around the block in terms of schools, so I really know what I am looking for by now. And I have pretty much everything I want here, maybe a little more.

There is so much to learn here outside normal classes. Starting at Wentworth, I made it clear that my biggest goal would be to graduate and leave.  The degree is still what keeps me enrolled, but there is so much more to being a member of Wentworth.

What reminded me of this is that all the leadership training and event have started up now. Most students who meet a few basic criteria are eligible to apply for leadership roles around campus and for Leadership Institute. The roles you can assume after training include Resident assistant, admissions ambassador, Student Alumni Society member, and Community Standards Board member. Acquiring any of these positions is contingent on completing their Wentworth Leadership Institute. Though first-years need only have completed Phase I. Currently, I am enrolled in Phase I, and we have been learning a ton of things that have nearly no overlap with my normal classes.

To get the most out of college, try to learn more than your required classes. Required classes are fine, but concentrating on just those will leave you specialized. And specialized can be very boring, unless you absolutely love what you do.

If you want to learn things somewhat related to your major, there are a number of hosted lectures every week. We get weekly emails about when / where some of these lectures are and I am sure there are lectures we could attend from other Colleges of the Fenway. And if you want to meet me, come to the applied math career series lecture Tuesdays at 4 😀

Spring semester is now well underway and hopefully going better than the fall semester, especially for freshmen. Us freshmen had so much to learn the first time through.

I know I am trying to stay away from my old bad habits and remember what worked and didn’t during the first semester. Below is a quick list I made to remind myself of how to stay out of trouble a list of negative commands seemed more appropriate to help keep me out of bad habits.

DON’T:

• Wait for diving inspiration to write that English paper
• Practice videogames unless you prefer being good at videogames to doing well in school
• Stay up late the night before an exam
  • Yes, even if you have to study, sleep is better
• Be texting / facebooking when studying unless you plan on spending roughly 3x the study time
• Make plans to go out or spend time unless you’ve made plans for schoolwork
• Be embarrassed to use your resources!
  • I know what kind of pressure it is to avoid asking for help, but Wentworth did not intend for you to ask for help, we would not have to search so hard for our staff, and nor would we have learning labs or the learning center. The benefits way outweigh the awkwardness.
• Ignore emails, blackboard, or piazza
  • I know my professors communicate in a lot of different ways, and sometimes it is frustrating to have to check all of the different mediums, especially when they send something I am not really interested in. Chances are, the professor is sending that information because students can benefit from it, so at least skimming it is probably a good idea.

Staying out of trouble has always left me with nowhere to go but up. This list was based on retrospective advice compiled from my family, friends, professors, pre-college teachers, and my own experience. Hope you enjoy!