Welcome back to another insightful edition of our “Ask Me Anything” series, where we delve into the world of college life with Olivia Pellegrini, a current Bronco at Boise State. Olivia is a senior from Northern California majoring in Health Sciences and minoring in Psychology. Coming from out of state, she wanted to have a fresh start at Boise State. She acted as a Bronco Ambassador for a year before she started working for Boise State Admissions as a Student Recruitment Specialist. Olivia is here to share her personal experiences and expert advice on various aspects of navigating college successfully.
Video Transcript – Ask Me Anything! | Olivia
Planning with an Advisor: What You Need to Know
After switching majors from Nursing to Health Studies her sophomore year, Olivia has relied on a number of advisors to help her succeed. Switching majors may seem like a step in the wrong direction, but it’s a normal part of the college experience that many students go through. With the help of advisors, Olivia was able to transfer all of her Nursing credits to her Health Studies degree.
Olivia also notes the significance of discussing your academic and career goals with your advisor. While it’s not required to meet with an academic advisor each semester, Olivia says that advisors are “a really great point of contact when it comes to questions” and “making sure I’m on track to graduate and I’m taking the classes I need to take”. Before your scheduled session, take the time to review your degree requirements and compile a list of questions and concerns. By sharing your aspirations, you enable your advisor to assist you in selecting courses that align with your ambitions and crafting a personalized academic roadmap.
Learn more about the Advising and Academic Support Center (AASC)
Best Study Spots on Campus
Discovering the perfect study spot can make a world of difference in your academic journey and Olivia Pellegrini is your go-to guide for navigating the best on-campus location.
- The Albertsons Library is one of the most popular spaces to study on campus. Olivia notes “On the fourth floor of Albertsons Library it’s going to be the quietest spot on campus.” With quiet and group study areas and abundant resources, it provides the perfect background for concentration.
- The Interactive Learning Center (ILC) is another popular spot filled with study rooms. Reserving a study room here offers the perfect environment for bouncing ideas off of peers and collectively tackling challenges.
- Downtown Boise is also home to coffee shops favored by Broncos, such as Blackrock, Form and Function and Hyde Park.
Time Management for Coursework
“One of my favorite tips for managing coursework is to start the semester off strong.” One of Olivia’s recommendations for time management is taking advantage of apps such as Google Calendar. By allocating specific time slots for different subjects or tasks, you can create a structured routine that helps you manage your coursework efficiently.
Boise State is home to many Academic Support Services, open to all students. Whether you need academic advice or subject-specific tutoring, there are so many other students ready to help.
Lastly, Olivia emphasizes the importance of advocating for yourself in the classroom. From your professors to teaching assistants and tutors, there are so many people who are here to help. She advises, “You have all the resources available to you, you just have to reach out to them.”
Learn more about Academic Support Services
The Power of Professional Networking
Olivia highlights the power of professional networking during your college years. She encourages students to embrace opportunities for expanding their social circles and building meaningful relationships. Olivia’s advice extends to joining clubs, participating in workshops and engaging in campus events, all of which provide platforms for meeting like-minded individuals and potential mentors.
Boise State’s Career Services is another powerful resource, located in the Micron Business and Economics building. Career Services is there for students, helping look over resumes, cover letters and preparing students for internships and job opportunities. Olivia says “I know a lot of my roommates and friends have had great job opportunities through Career Services.”
Recognizing the significance of hands-on experience, Olivia advocates for internships and attending career fairs as valuable channels for connecting with professionals in your chosen field. Boise State offers a variety of Career Events, such as the Career Fair, Part-Time and Summer Job Fair, and Meet the Employers, which are offered in partnership with the individual academic departments.