Choosing the right college can be a daunting task. Size, location, and available resources are all factors that need to be considered by prospective students and their families. Taking time to tour a college campus is the best way to get a sense of what it’s like to be a student there. Here are some tips to make the most of your college visits. 

Your first trip by air is exciting. It also can be anxiety-inducing. Those nerves are best overcome by being well prepared. Familiarize yourself with the travel process, including navigating the airport and knowing what to expect during the flight. Here are some tips to help guide you through your first flight. 
 
Pack Wisely 

The end of the academic year is near, which means the pressure of finishing projects and exams, landing summer internships and jobs, and lining things up for the fall is in full force. You want to finish out the year strong, so it’s important to remember to use the tools you have to support your mental health. Ideally, you’ve set yourself up for strong mental health all year by following a healthy routine, joining clubs, and spending time with supportive people. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed, however, there are steps you can take to regain control.   
 

Proven industry experience can make all the difference when it comes to landing your first professional job. But how can a student gain professional experience? That’s where the internship comes in. An internship is a temporary position that typically is associated with a student’s academic major or career interest. During their short tenure with an organization, an intern can gain valuable hands-on experience and insight while working in a professional role. 

Physics is entirely driven by the curiosity of people who do it because they love it. It’s an incredible way of exploring and thinking about the universe. Math and physics come together in satisfying ways. I like to open my textbooks, sit there, read them for hours, and do the math in a textbook to see if I can get it right. It’s a very gratifying process. 

I grew up on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in a family that has always had a connection to our community. It’s a large part of why I want to become a doctor and get my master’s in public health: I want to serve my community and be a part of it in an even greater aspect. Now, I’m a first-year senior at Northern Arizona University (NAU), on a five-year track with NAU’s Interdisciplinary Global Program (I’m in my fourth year studying at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan), majoring in biomedical sciences and comparative cultural sciences.

My story is that of a nontraditional college student. I attended a state-level college for a few years right after high school, but I did not end up graduating. I then spent 12 years reflecting and developing as a person. I meant to continue my college education, but I was nervous about returning after so long. I was not sure where to apply or how to afford it.

I have always been captivated by the intricate nature of living things. Growing up in a small rural township in Northern Ontario, I would spend time wandering the bush and exploring nature. All the nearby farmers knew me because I would visit their animals. I thought it was the coolest thing that the cows would come when I mooed at them. 

I grew up in Montclair, Va., which I like to think of as a perfect 
balance. Located right off the Potomac River, Montclair is perfectly in the middle of a suburban area and a very rural area. It’s extremely humid during 
the summer and snowy in winter, and I could explore nature by fishing and 
hiking. I could also make trips to the city and visit any sites.

After some time away, it can be hard to get back into the swing of academic life. It can be helpful to take some time at the beginning of the semester to situate yourself and ensure you’re ready for what the next few months of classes will bring. Here are a few ways to set yourself up for successful semester. 
 
Plan, Plan, Plan