Year and program: 5th year, Psychology major, Philosophy minor
Where is home for you? Dehradun, India
What three adjectives best describe you?
Curious, compassionate, driven (and also funny)
What extracurricular activities have you been involved with (UBC related or not)?
So far, I have been involved in a range of extracurricular and community-based activities. At UBC, I have served several times as an Arts Orientation Leader, supporting students’ transition into university life, worked as a content creator for the Psychology Students’ Association, and currently hold the role of Assistant Marketing Director for SAGE UBC. Beyond campus, I have worked closely with children and families as a Parent-Tot Program Assistant and volunteered with children with developmental and learning disabilities in India. Sports have also been a significant part of my life; I have participated in shooting and swimming and competed as a national-level basketball player in India.
What is your best study strategy/tip?
My best strategy for the term is to put all of my due dates, deadlines, assignments, and midterm dates into one big list organized chronologically. It makes the term much easier to navigate and gives me a clear overall picture of what the semester will look like, especially during busier weeks. Another thing that has helped me a lot, even though it is not exactly a study tip, is to stay curious and ask lots of questions about what I am learning. I try not to study just for the sake of studying or getting a grade, but to actually gain knowledge and new perspectives. Being genuinely intrigued by what you are studying and keeping an open mind can make learning much more interesting and meaningful.
If you could travel back in time to your first year at UBC, what is one thing you would do differently?
If I could travel back to my first year at UBC, one thing I would do differently is make a greater effort to connect with my professors. I used to feel intimidated about reaching out to them, but over time I realized that they are genuinely supportive and often very willing to help students. I would definitely attend office hours more frequently, ask more questions, and take the opportunity to learn from them beyond the classroom.
I would also make a greater effort to seek out the opportunities and resources available at UBC. There are so many, and I wish I had pushed myself earlier to step outside of my comfort zone and explore them. I would tell my first-year self to ask for help, help others, try new things, and build genuine connections with peers, upper-year students, alumni, staff, and professors. University becomes much more meaningful when you allow yourself to engage with the community around you.