UMD is a major research university, with unparalleled opportunities to engage in hands-on learning, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. One of the main classes taken by freshmen in the Clark Engineering school is ENES 100. In this course, you spend the whole semester working through the engineering design process in a team of 8 to build an all-terrain robotic vehicle. For many students, this experience is a first. Combining electronics, mechanical design, and software development might feel overwhelming, but it drives students out of their comfort zones, sparking intellectual growth.

ENES100 teaches engineers the importance of cooperation and coordination, reliance on others, how to troubleshoot issues, and take failures as a learning tool, all while building connections with fellow Clark students. Dozens of classes like this are offered to students at UMD, presenting unexpected and unique chances to grow your knowledge and build connections with staff and students alike. One prospective course that has caught my attention is a tech elective for chemical engineers, in which you prototype solid-state batteries! The prototyping lab is one of just a handful in the country where students can build and test their own solid-state devices from raw materials. Beyond coursework, there is a large population of students who support the research institute through their undergraduate research positions. These students work to advance the various science fields while gaining valuable professional exposure. These are just a few of the awesome experiences you are presented with as a Terp engineer!

Throughout your college years, you will meet hundreds of other students and dozens of professors. Connections are super beneficial to have, so you should use this time to build a network of support, mentorship, and opportunity. Now, in a large lecture hall of hundreds of students, it is easy to feel kind of anonymous, so even just initiating these relationships may be intimidating, but, it is best to start small. Visit office hours, communicate your interest and enthusiasm towards a subject. Be curious and respectful, showing that you are learning from these interactions. Lastly, be sure to follow through with discussions and continue engaging with the professors to display that your intentions are beyond simply passing a class. Educators are interesting people with a lot of experience to share, so, dont be afraid to ask questions. Inquire about their work, find something in common, and have deeper conversations. Establishing a personal connection with these researchers offers outstanding benefits, and you may just end up finding something you love or somewhere you're meant to be.

Like many students at UMD, I am a Maryland native, so the move away from home felt smooth and comfortable, and I knew many friends from home who were starting their journeys right alongside me. Friendships keep you grounded, and are a good reminder that you are not along in adjusting to this new lifestyle. For anyone in a unfamiliar environment, I recommend to put yourself out there, be open-minded, and proactive. Join clubs and talk to classmates even if it may be outside your comfort zone. College is a period of major growth, where you discover a lot about yourself and those around you, and these new experiences are crucial to this development.

Beyond adjusting socially, college life also presents a significant change in academics. You should come to class prepared for ~1 hour of fast-paced lecture, taking in as much information and jotting down as many notes as possible. Due to this learning style, it is extremely beneficial to plan for 15-20 minutes of previewing content from the textbook or lecture slides to maximize what you can take away from every class. Courses are super fast paced, and if there was one thing I think I was unprepared for, it is the heavy weight that exams have on your grade. From high school, I am used to having plenty of minor assignments to fill in the gradebook, cushioning the blow a lower exam grade may give you. In college, exams may hold 70%, 80%, or even 100% of your grade. Be sure to invest significant time into preparing for these exams to perform as well as you can. It's also possible for multiple exams to sneak up on you at once. Learning how to effectively balance time and studies between classes is a crucial skill.

Overall, It is bizarre to think that my entire freshman year has already passed, but time flies when you're having fun.