Peer Mentors

Major:

Civil Engineering

Favorite Music Artist

Joji

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on Campus is the Rec Center. It is a lot of fun to go there just to hang out with friends a play basketball or other sports. It is also fun to look into other intermural activities.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

A piece of advice that I would give to a first-year student is to not be afraid to reach out for help. That is something that I struggled with at first and once I was able to ask for advice or help it really helped me not be scared or stressed during my first year of college.

Fun fact:

A fun fact about me is I have a twin sister. We were also born on Valentine’s Day.

Major:

Music Education-Vocal Emphasis

Favorite Candy:

Chocolate

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is the Westbrook Music Building because I do spend most of my day there. It’s also where I see a lot of my friends and spend a lot of my free time!

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

Make as many connections as possible. I would not have made it through my first year without the people I made those deep connections with, and if I never needed something, I always knew who I should turn to.

Fun fact:

I’ve logged 489 hours on Sims 4 and I’ve only owned the game for 1 year!

Major:

Biology

Favorite Movie:

The Princess Bride

What is your favorite spot on campus?

The upstairs of Love Library. There are these huge windows up there to let the sun in while your studying and it’s great.

What was your favorite experience in your Learning Community your first year?

My favorite experience in my Learning Community was getting to meet all of the other students at the Welcome Event. I’m still friends with the people I met the first day we all moved in.

Fun fact:

I learned how to juggle in P.E in like 4th grade and accidentally joined the juggling club here at UNL my freshman year.

Major:

Marketing, Management

Favorite Quote:

“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water” – Rabindranath Tagore

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus would be the top floor of the College of Business. It has a great view of the Lincoln landscape and an awesome spot to watch early morning sunrises.

What was your favorite experience in your Learning Community your first year?

My favorite experience in the Learning Community was the business trip to Chicago. It was a great experience to learn about local companies and connect with people in the Learning Community.

Fun fact:

Over the summer, I taught myself how to juggle. While giving tennis lessons, some of my students asked me if I could juggle, so I learned from a five-minute YouTube video.

Major:

Marketing, Management

Favorite Drink:

Water with lemon, or any kind of espresso, and coffee

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My fav place on campus would be this place in the COB, it’s on the second floor and the end of a hallway, right by a window there is one single chair with a desk. It overlooks the place on the side of the COB that everyone walks by and it has a pretty view of memorial stadium.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help with anything, we’ve all been freshman and we all know how it feels to have to adjust to a brand-new lifestyle and a brand-new environment. We are here to help. No judgement.

Fun fact:

A fun fact about me is that I share the same birthday with my grandmother.

Major:

Supply Chain Management

Favorite Candy:

Reese’s

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus would probably be the barn in the animal science complex. I was able to get away from any stress that I had, and I was able to be with a bunch of horses.

What was your favorite experience in your Learning Community your first year?

My favorite experiences through the learning community were the activities that were hosted. Being an out of state student was hard because I didn’t know anybody. Participating in these events is what brought me to my closest friends.

Fun fact:

I learned to ride horses before I could even walk. I have been showing horses for 15 years now. I have shown all over the country as well as in Canada.

Major:

Marketing

Favorite Quote:

"I always thought that quicksand would be a much bigger problem than it turned out to be" - John Mulaney

What is your favorite spot on campus?

The COB is my favorite place on campus, it’s such a gorgeous building and I’m very excited to continue to have classes there. The views are also great from the 5th floor to see Lincoln and the stadium.

What was your favorite experience in your Learning Community your first year?

All of the friends that I’ve made in the Learning Community. It’s been great living with and having class with a bunch of people in my LC and continuing to live with them next year.

Fun fact:

I’m on the club swim team at UNL and I’ve swam since I was 7.

Major:

Computer Science

Favorite Movie:

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is the basement of Avery. Having an area that is so focused on Computing is great for socializing as well as getting help with classes.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

Failure is going to happen. Everyone in college makes mistakes and you just have to pick yourself up and lean on the people around you and keep moving.

Fun fact:

I am a First-Generation College Student

Major:

Computer Science

Favorite Drink:

Strawberry Lemonade

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is the mezzanine in Love Library South because it’s a great place to study and relax. Though the rec center is also high on my list because it has a great variety of things to do and, it’s a place I like to go to destress.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

The advice I would give to a first-year student is to not procrastinate or let yourself get behind. It might sound basic, but the freedom of college to do whatever you want rather than study can be hard to resist at times.

Fun fact:

I am a twin. I also love to sing and play the piano.

Major:

Software Engineering

Favorite Music Artist:

Tame Impala and/or Hippo Campus

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is undoubtedly the stacks in Love South. It’s really confined, so maybe not the best place if you are not good with small spaces (at least that’s what my claustrophobic friends say), but it’s arguably the quietest part of the library. I am always able to get a ton of work done there.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

Take advantage of all the resources you have as a college student, whether that’s using a tutor in the Math Resource Center, talking to your academic advisor, or even getting a discounted student rate for Spotify! There are a ton of awesome perks for being a college student.

Fun fact:

I play drums for a band that a few friends and I formed in high school. We’ve played at a couple bars and have had a few house shows that are always super fun to be a part of. Across all music sites, we have around 10,000 streams/plays on our music, which is absolutely insane to me. We’re planning on releasing more music this summer, so give us a listen! Just search “Dream Regime” wherever you get your music!

Major:

Elementary and Special Education

Favorite Candy:

Almond Joy

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is the Union. It might be basic, but so much happens there, and it’s a great place to chill out and get some homework done!

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

You will have a lot more free time than in high school, so don’t waste it. Take that time to get your work done, so you can hang out after!

Fun fact:

Fun fact about me is that I met Rebecca Black, the girl that sang “Friday.”

Major:

Community Health and Wellness

Favorite Quote:

“And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” – Michael Scott

What is your favorite spot on campus?

Adele Learning Commons is my home away from home as it provides a quiet and comfortable study spot with quick access to Dunkin Donuts to help keep me fueled up throughout the night.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

Do not let your GPA define you. You are in college for a reason and you belong here!

Fun fact:

I eat Taco Bell probably 5 times a week and I see no problem with that.

Major:

Secondary Education: Social Studies

Favorite Movie:

Fantastic Mr. Fox

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is the green space outside of the Union and Selleck. I love sitting in front of the Union or walking through it especially on warm days because there is so much activity. People are playing games, laying in hammocks, or sitting doing homework. It calms me to see so many people enjoying time outside together.

What was your favorite experience in your Learning Community your first year?

My favorite experience being in a Learning Community was on move-in day when I met all of the other members of my Learning Community. We had dinner, played games, and formed bonds that would last the entire year.

Fun fact:

A fun fact about me is that I was a competitive Irish Dancer for six years! I competed all around the Midwest and marched in six Downtown St. Louis St. Patrick’s Day Parades!

Major:

Mechanical Engineering

Favorite Candy:

Swedish Fish

What is your favorite spot on campus?

The Triangle study room looking over the road from Eastside Suites. It is the perfect place to study!

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

Make sure you put yourself out there in the first weeks in order to get to know as many people as possible.

Fun Fact:

I love to Rock Climb!

Alice is a sophomore Agricultural Economics and Food Science and Technology major who studied abroad in Spain and France this summer!

Major:

Agricultural Economics and Food Science & Technology

Proudest moment at UNL so far:

My proudest moment at UNL so far has to be placing 2nd at the National Agri-Marketing Association Competition in Kansas City. Our team worked hard and put in a lot of hours into our project.

What is your favorite spot on campus?

East Campus Union, because it the best place to meet people and you can find a quiet place to study. Plus, you can’t beat free bowling on Friday nights!

Major:

Electrical Engineering

Favorite Candy:

Kit-Kats

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is Memorial Stadium: I’ve gone to every home football game for the past two years with my roommates (sometimes requiring a wake-up shout to get us motivated), and we don’t plan on stopping next year!

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

Never be afraid to reach out! Whether it be asking for help from your professors or wanting to try out a new club/hobby, it’s always worth experimenting.

Fun fact:

I enjoy studying languages in my free time, but most of them tend to be constructed languages within works of fiction such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s elvish languages. I’m not a particularly talented linguist; I just think it’s fun!

Major:

Mechanical Engineering

Favorite TV Show:

Doctor Who

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is outdoors around the library. I like seeing all the trees in the fall and spring and feeding the squirrels.

What was your favorite experience in your Learning Community your first year?

When I was in the Robotics Learning Community, my favorite experience was getting the robotics kits. I really enjoyed seeing what the other students on my floor came up with and being able to mess around with my robotics kit.

Fun fact:

I used to have a praying mantis as a pet.

Major:

Biological Science

Favorite Artist:

Ed Sheeran

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is the Adelle Coryell Learning Commons. It has so many places to study and is a great spot to chill in between classes.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

My advice to incoming students is to get involved in organizations that interest you and get leadership positions in them. It makes college so much more fun and it’s a great way to meet new people!

Fun Fact:

I’m a third generation UNL student!

Major:

Biology and Psychology

Favorite Quote:

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is Memorial Stadium. I grew up watching Husker football and love cheering on the Huskers with my friends!

What was your favorite experience in your Learning Community your first year?

My favorite Learning Community experience was Trivia Night. I enjoyed hanging out with my friends and attempting to guess obscure facts and it was a great opportunity to meet people from other Learning Communities.

Fun Fact:

I have never broken any bones in my body.

Major:

Nursing

Favorite Artist:

Lana Del Ray and the Weeknd

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus besides my sorority house, Alpha Xi Delta, is Love Library North because it is my go-to study spot on campus. Whether you want to study between classes, all day on a Saturday where it is quiet, or work in a study room with friends, it has it all. It also has a Dunkin Donuts, which has my favorite iced coffee!

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

I would tell first-year students to set a schedule and plan out your week. Nothing is more stressful than looking at a list of assignments and not knowing where to begin. If you set aside time for each activity, then you are more likely to be successful, and you might be able to set aside some time for yourself to watch a quick Netflix movie to treat yourself in the end!

Fun Fact:

I love giraffes! They have been my favorite animal since I was little, and I even got the chance to feed one when I was little at the Henry Doorly Zoo.

Major:

Child, Youth, and Family Studies

Favorite TV Show:

Criminal Minds

What is your favorite spot on campus?

I don’t really have a favorite place anymore. Every building/place on campus has something interesting to look at or think about. If I had to choose I would say anyone there are flowers, so outside of Othmer, in the spring the flowers bloom and there are always butterflies that fly around and I always love walking by there.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

Try as many new things as possible, even if it makes you a little bit nervous. It is important to always explore your interests, and who knows, you might make some really cool friends along the way.

Fun Fact:

I couldn’t really think of anything, so my sister told me to put that I have asthma. Which is not fun, but it is a fact.

Major:

Advertising and Public Relations; Child, Youth, and Family Studies

Favorite Quote:

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou

What is your favorite spot on campus?

The Mill on Innovation Campus is a great place to study, or just to meet up with friends. I love the atmosphere, the music, and, of course, the coffee!

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

Never be afraid to ask for help. Everyone is struggling with something, and you never know if your own vulnerability could help someone else. We’re all in this together, and everyone at UNL wants to see you succeed!

Fun Fact:

I am a fourth generation Husker! My parents met working at the Daily Nebraskan and both graduated from the College of Journalism.

Major:

Economics

Favorite Drink:

Dr. Pepper Cherry

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is Husker Heroes. The best sandwiches ever.

What was your favorite experience in your Learning Community your first year?

My favorite experience was floor hours with my mentor. Sometimes we would just sit and talk or play card games. Always so fun.

Fun Fact:

I am an orange belt.

Major:

Sports Media and Communication

Favorite Drink:

Sweet Tea

What is your favorite spot on campus?

Learning Commons. It is easy to study in, outside of finals week when it’s super crowded. I like a little background noise when I study so the hushed conversations around don’t come as a distraction.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

Take the first year slow but don’t be afraid to get a jump on jobs and internships as soon as possible. You’ll quickly realize you have a lot of free time and if you can balance it gives you a step ahead on your peers.

Fun Fact:

I was born in Omaha but moved away when I was just three months old. Despite never coming back to Nebraska until college, I’ve been a lifelong Husker fan because it was something my dad and I bonded over from a young age.

Major:

Veterinary Science

Favorite Artist:

Queen

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is Morrill Hall because there is so much stuff to learn about! There are also a lot of interactive exhibits there too, which always make me feel like a kid. I also really like elephants and they have a whole hall dedicated to them!

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

My favorite piece of advice to give to a first-year student is to always keep an open mind. You never know what you’ll learn about yourself, your future, and others around you if you are optimistic!

Fun Fact:

A fun fact about me is that I can line dance and swing dance! I actually learned how to swing dance on the shore of Lake McConaughy (which is not easy!) while I was out in Ogallala for a summer class. Now I love to spend Sunday nights line dancing at Pla Mor!

Major:

Psychology, Pre-Law

Favorite Candy:

Lemonheads

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is Kappa Kappa Gamma because the wonderful women in the house have truly made this house such a happy place for me. I know that whatever I am going through, I will be unconditionally supported and loved.

What was your favorite experience in your Learning Community your first year?

My favorite experience in the Psyched Up! Learning Community was how close I became with my mentor and those on my floor. The Learning Community allowed for me to create such great lifelong friends!

Fun Fact:

I am deathly afraid of fish!

Major:

Interior Design

Favorite Artist:

Lin-Manuel Miranda

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is my studio in Architecture Hall. The studio is a place where I am the most productive and am surrounded by people with similar interests.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

I would tell a first-year student that some of the best experiences I’ve had in school have been when I stepped outside of my comfort zone. My advice would be to be fearless and take risks in both your academic and social lives.

Fun Fact:

My favorite pastime is running! I jog about three to four miles every day to destress and have fun.

Major:

Psychology

Favorite Quote:

“Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place. So, thank you.”-Raymond Holt

What is your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite place on campus is the hammocks outside of the union. I love these hammocks because they offer a place to relax and unwind, especially on a nice day.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

A piece of advice I would give to a first-year student is to not be afraid to get involved! There are many clubs who want to reach out to you and help you get involved on campus.

Fun Fact:

I am bilingual! I speak Farsi and English.

Major:

Business Administration/ Pre-Dental

Favorite Drink:

Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade

What is your favorite spot on campus?

I would have to say that my favorite place on campus is Memorial stadium. There’s just such a great atmosphere on Saturdays and it’s really cool to witness the amount of people at games.

What is the best piece of advice you have for a first-year student?

The most important advice that I would give first-year students would be to establish a good balance between having fun and schoolwork early on. It’s easy to get caught up in all the fun things during your first year but remember your priorities and your end goal.

Fun Fact:

Dark brown is not my natural hair color.