The Engineering Experience

After being a student here for over a year, one of my favorite things about Purdue is the number of organizations, clubs, and programs that one can become involved in on campus. Getting involved can be intimidating, as it is hard to go from being an established member of the high school version of these communities to the college version of them, or even joining a completely different community. Here are some ways I’ve made the most out of my campus involvements. Put Yourself Out There Although I am a natural extrovert, I still get extremely nervous when it comes to meeting new people or being in unfamiliar environments. The best advice I have for this is put yourself out there. Small talk is a great way to get the ball rolling, as you must remind yourself that everyone is just as nervous as you are. Icebreaker activities, as awkward as they are, may be another good way to get conversations flowing. For all you could know, one of your future best friends could be sitting right nex...

Like many people, I came to Purdue with only a few people from my graduating class after going to school with the same people since kindergarten. I wasn’t sure how I would find new friends at such a big school. I quickly found however that everyone else also had those nervous butterflies, whether they had moved 20 minutes down the road or halfway around the globe, and I learned that Purdue cares deeply about students' sense of belonging! Here are a few ways I found helped me find my people on campus. Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) BGR is Purdue’s unique orientation experience. I have been a part of BGR as both a new student and a Team Leader, and both of my experiences have brought truly amazing people into my life. During BGR, students are placed in groups based on their residence halls and led around campus for a week of fun traditions, informational sessions, and intentional conversations. It’s a fun and easy way to get to know people in the same boat as you when you step on campus, and...

Now that it is mid-September (crazy, right?), it is time for college application season to get into full swing! This can sometimes be an overwhelming process since there are so many universities you can visit and apply to this fall. So, we’ve compiled a short list of 5 things to help you narrow down your search and find the right place for you (which we hope is Purdue)! 1. Connections, connections, connections! Are you someone who has always wanted to work for NASA? What about Proctor and Gamble or General Mills? Look at the profiles of people who work there and see where they went to school or where these companies recruit from! Something special about Purdue, and one of the big reasons why I came here, is the size and reach of the alumni network. You may feel like you cannot go anywhere without running into a proud Purdue graduate. Boilermakers touch every industry you could imagine. When you are looking for a job or even an internship at your dream company, you will be glad to have ...

     College can be a stressful experience for anyone, whether it be a first-year student arriving on campus for the first time or a final-year student getting prepared to graduate and leave campus. Classes change and progress every semester, and there are always events and activities to attend all throughout campus. With the many variables that can alter your college experience, it is especially important to create and stick to a routine that can help you best achieve academic and personal success. Routines can help you accomplish your daily tasks and motivate you to be productive each week. They help keep you accountable by creating a laid out plan for each day to follow. Routines also contribute to an improved mental and physical state.  Athulya Nair, ABE '24, in front of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Building Create a Morning Routine      Mornings are considered the most important time of the day since the way you start your morning c...

The sun is shining! Campus is booming with happy, refreshed, excited faces! Chatter fills the air as old friends reunite and new friendships are formed in busy lecture halls. Yup, a new semester has started and with that comes so much opportunity. For upperclassmen, the opportunity is to reflect on the wins and failures of past semesters and start fresh with the awareness of how to be even better, more successful and balanced versions of ourselves. So, I asked a few upperclassmen what they wish they could do differently this semester to start off the school year right and compiled their answers. Hopefully other students and even prospective students about to start college can learn from our experiences! Following a 9-to-5 lifestyle This summer I had an amazing internship experience working in industry. It was an incredibly different environment and lifestyle compared to college, and it taught me so much about work-life balance. I worked 9 hour days (with breaks for lunch and plenty o...