An interview with Evan Chao (PHHS '17), a senior studying Chemical Engineering at Manhattan College.
How have you grown since college?
“Since I began college, I've had the chance to grow in several ways. Socially, college has allowed me to build meaningful relationships with people who have interests and aspirations similar to mine. Most of my friends at school are also engineers, whom I met through classes, clubs, and group work. During my time at college I've also grown as a student. Having to balance school work, a social life, extracurriculars, etc. really forces you to work on your time management and study habits. These are two skills that college students tend to acquire fairly quickly and naturally as they progress through their time at school. As a senior, I'm still interested in discovering new clubs and other ways to meet people. Most colleges have plenty of clubs and organizations - I would definitely recommend checking out what your school offers, as there is usually something for everyone!”
What is your favorite memory from college so far?
“My favorite memory from college so far was studying abroad in Portugal. Personally I love traveling, so it was amazing to immerse myself in the culture of a foreign country while being able to earn credits. Unfortunately, most schools have put a pause on their study abroad programs, but I would definitely recommend studying abroad to everyone once COVID-19 is no longer an issue.”
What was an unexpected challenge of college?
“An unexpected challenge I've had to face during college, which I alluded to before, is time-management and being able to juggle multiple responsibilities. I knew coming into college that I would become busier and my workload would increase, but I didn't know by how much. My best tip for managing time and hitting assignment deadlines would be to invest in a planner, which you can use to map out due dates and event schedules. College can definitely get a bit overwhelming when school work starts to stack up on top social events, career fairs, and club meetings. I've personally found that it helps a lot to write all of your responsibilities down in a planner and manage them in that way.”
What advice would you give to incoming college students?
“My advice to incoming college students is simple. Go out and get as involved as possible. Attend that career fair, join that club you've been thinking about, join an intramural sports team, etc. Colleges and universities offer so many ways for students to get the most out of their experience - if you're thinking about trying something new, do it. College only lasts for 4 years, and before you know it it'll be over!”
Check out the Alumni Directory to learn more about Evan and feel free to reach out to him if you'd like to learn more about his college experience!
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