What's it like to be a student at UNH? A junior biology major shares an inside look
Meet Marina Lombardi, a junior biology student with minors in biomedical science and classics who is also a Resident Assistant. Marina shares challenging and surprising moments, like discovering a passion for genetic counseling or finding that an ancient world engineering course became a semester highlight. Marina particularly appreciates one thing that made UNH distinctive when choosing a college, freedom to explore beyond your major, grow as a whole person, and take advantage of opportunities you might not find anywhere else.
Why did you choose UNH?
I chose UNH because of not only the academic freedoms, but also the extracurricular freedoms. There are very few moments when I don't have the chance to take a class I want to or participate in a club or organization simply because of my major. For example, I studied abroad in Rome over J-term, even though it was mostly a COLA-oriented program.
It is rare when you come across a university where it feels as if your opportunities are unlimited, so I knew being accepted to UNH was a sort of an offer I may not have found in other schools.
What's something about UNH that most people don't know?
From my elective courses to conversations with my professors, to even being an RA, I have learned so much more outside my major than I ever would have anticipated coming into this school. You don't just learn how to be a scientist or a doctor, but also how to navigate tough situations, work with others, and balance working hard with allowing yourself to relax.
What advice would you give your freshman self?
Never to doubt yourself. There were times when I was in a tough class and I was convinced that I would fail an exam or mess up a group project and let my peers down. However, hard work and discipline can take you a very long way. You won't always do incredible on exams or projects, but it's about learning from that and having the courage to work a little harder next time.
What's your favorite course you've taken at UNH?
My favorite course was Engineering in the Ancient World. With a minor in classics, it has been a great experience balancing my STEM classes with my liberal arts classes. Not only did I have an extremely bright, humorous professor, but it also gave me so much information about the ancient world I have always been fascinated by.
Why did you choose your major?
I originally picked biology with the intention of narrowing it down to a more specific field. However, after sophomore year, I realized just how valuable it is to keep my education and possible job opportunities wide open. After graduation, instead of sticking to one section of biology I studied for four years, I can branch out and maybe pursue parts of biology I originally wasn't as interested in as an undergrad.
Where have you found a sense of community at UNH?
As a first-year RA, I have already found such a strong community within that role. I have met so many amazing people that I have thoroughly enjoyed spending my time with, and connecting with my residents has been so rewarding. It has given me a place, besides academics, to really dedicate time to and utilize the more creative side of my brain that I sometimes can take for granted.
Reflecting on your time at UNH, what's an experience that stands out to you?
The first time I ever held a Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) meeting as a leader.
I remember how uncomfortable it felt at first, and a part of me thought I had no idea what I was doing. That really got me out of my comfort zone, which felt awkward at first, but the more I did, the more I realized just how much I was growing as a person and as a leader.
What are your aspirations for the future? How is your time at UNH helping you get there?
My main aspiration is to become a genetic counselor. I can thank UNH entirely for this because it is not only where I found out about this career in the first place, but I have also been getting recommendations from advisors for graduate school ideas and internships. The knowledge I have been gaining from my genetics and biology classes in general are setting me up very nicely to start seriously considering becoming a genetic counselor.
Tell us about a part of your UNH experience that wasn't what you thought it was going to be.
Just how important work-life balance really is, and how crucial it is to perfect that balance. Being at UNH has been a genuinely enjoyable experience for me because it is more than a place where I work and take exams; it's also somewhere I have met so many amazing people and filled my free time with fun and exciting activities, clubs, and organizations. When people think of college, they either think of all the work they're going to have to do, or all the fun they'll be having every night. When coming into college, you need to realize you can do both and find a way to accomplish that!
Have you received any scholarships during your time at UNH?
Yes, I received a scholarship for being an RA. As an RA, UNH covers my housing, as well as my meal plan.
What's a UNH tradition you love?
A tradition I love is UDay! It's a great experience to see all the creativity and fun that goes into so many clubs and organizations, as well as all the hard work. UDay is one of the moments when I feel the strongest sense of community at UNH.
What's your favorite spot in Durham?
The Works! From their bagels to their coffees, I have never been let down when ordering from there. They have a very calming environment to do work in, or simply to talk with some friends.