Stress is Spooky and Drugs are Deathly: How to Stay Healthy this Halloween Season

Substance Abuse Prevention Month: 

A Poem

Drug abuse is a problem
That isn't always seen
So, I want to share some insight
On this spooky Halloween

October's been a time of fun,
Costumes, and jump scares
But one more thing went on this month
And you need to be aware

The main cause that I speak of
Is Substance Abuse Prevention
For a serious problem going on
That needs discussion and attention

Whether you think about this topic
Through public health or neuroscience
It's important to bring into the light
Through healthy conversations

I won't bore you with statistics
But I think you ought to know
Young adults are most affected
And that's how the story goes

As students go through school,
They can start to grow dependent
On substances that are within reach
Causing their minds to be more absent

Psychological effects can range
From anxiety and mood swings
To developing obsessive behaviors
And disorders of sleeping

Let's not forget the physical toll
That abusing various drugs
Can have on people's bodies
Including their heart and lungs

And then, in almost no time at all
The decisions in their lives
Are influenced by addiction
A bully in disguise

The ongoing abuse of illicit drugs,
Prescriptions, and OTCs
Makes recovery look like a daunting task
That seems too difficult to reach

But I'm here to provide some reassurance
And despite what people say,
To the individuals who are seeking help:
I promise it's not too late

If you or a loved one are suffering
And need a helping hand
Please use available resources
To find someone who understands

Whether it's a hotline
Or Student Health and Wellness
You are worth somebody's time
Please don’t feel like you are helpless

Have a healthy Halloween
Filled with ghouls and ghosts
But try to keep this information in mind
After October comes to a close.



Resources:
· Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
o https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
· UAB Student Health and Wellness 
o https://www.uab.edu/students/health/
o (205) 934-3580 (to schedule an appointment) 
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain

 You are getting ready to take an exam you spent the whole night studying for. You uneasily check the time and continue to review all of the material you don’t know as well, hoping something will stick with you. Before you know it, papers have been passed out and the exam has officially begun. Looking at that very first question, your mind blanks. Within seconds you feel uneasy. Your heart beat speeds up, and your blood pressure rises. Your palms get moist. You try your best to recall the information, but it seems like there is a disconnect between what you spent the past few hours studying and what is being asked of you in the question. This is the stress response, and everyone has felt this at some point in their lives. Many college students’ lives are filled with stress, and they spiral into despair as the semester goes on.  While a manageable amount of stress is beneficial because it can help people accomplish tasks more efficiently, chronic stress may not be a good thing.

Here are just a few of the scary side effects of stress….

1)     Disrupted sleep

2)     Hair Loss

3)     Digestive Problems and Weight Gain

4)     Skin Breakouts

5)     Weakened Immune System

6)     Depression

Chronic stress has a severely detrimental impact on one’s health, but it can be helped by just trying to relax. Popular relaxation methods include meditation, listening to music, talking to friends, or even exercising. So no matter what happens this Halloween, make sure you fight stress by taking some time to relax!

2018 Spring Class Highlight: Neuroscience of ethics+Ethics of neuroscience = Neuroethics

Class registration is tomorrow! If you elect to take Neuroethics, it will satisfy your bioethics requirement for the program (as it has in previous years). The course is also helpful in excelling in graduate school admissions tests, MCAT's CARS section, and medical school MMI interviews.

What did Dr. May say?

"This course addresses the following sorts of questions. Does unconscious neural activity determine our behavior prior to conscious awareness? Is a psychopath morally responsible if the behavior is the result of brain dysfunction? Is addiction a neurological compulsion? Which areas of the brain are involved in moral thought and action? Can neuroscientific technologies determine whether someone is lying? Should brain images be used as legal evidence? Is there something wrong with making oneself more ethical by altering one’s brain directly (e.g. via pills or deep brain stimulation)? Students in Neuroethics learn about such topics and evaluate arguments on different sides of the issues."

Dr. Josh May, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
http://www.joshdmay.com/

What did the students say?

 

"Under the current political climate, there are a lot of controversial arguments that have risen within the scientific world. But if you like to argue, how cool is it to argue like a philosopher and a neuroscientist? From philosophy and other humanities classes,  I learned to admit our own ignorance and turning questions into reminders. We can better present facts and make wiser decisions for ourselves and others through learning the right reasoning, logic, and thought process. Neuroethics was the most enjoyable, memorable, and useful course I have taken. I was heavily involved with in-class discussions, readings, and writings that required me to think, question, understand, and to learn from my peers. For example, my final 2,500-word paper allowed me to explore the issues that I cared about, which tied to my experiences and interests in disability advocacy, cultural identity, education, language, communication, technology, medicine, etc. There is still controversy when making scientific/medical decisions and public policies for the vulnerable groups, and even the entire population. Yet, this course helped me to develop a pair of clearer lenses to read the world, and to uphold ethically responsible approaches in my career."

Isabella Mak took this course in Spring 2016. She is the editor of this blog. You can find more about her in the "About" page.


"Neuroethics was one of the most unique, engaging, and challenging classes I have ever taken at UAB. Despite taking a host of neuroscience classes throughout undergrad and supplementing my degree with a few graduate public health courses, no class made me question myself or think as critically as Neuroethics. One of the most important things I learned in neuroethics is how different (often clashing) fields have to come together to answer neuroethical dilemmas. For example, my final paper for the course discussed whether psychopaths could be considered morally responsible (and legally responsible) for their decision making. I had to juggle: 1) implications of not punishing them on policy and the criminal justice system, 2) the neuroscience of psychopathy and whether psychopaths could understand the rules they were breaking, and even 3) morality and ethics surrounding punishment and rehabilitation. From this class, I gained a much wider worldview when thinking about how neuroscience research affects both policy and society. I hope to be involved in public health policy-making in the future and have a greater appreciation for the ethical nuance required in translating research into policy. This class will force you to step outside of your comfort zone and add some depth to your arguments. But in the end, it was absolutely worth it. Take a break from statistics, neuroanatomy, and sodium channels to explore this philosophical take on neuroscience! It will be well worth your time."

Mugdha Mokashi took this course in Spring 2017. She is the President of USGA, pursuing a fast-Track Masters of Public Health, a part of the Science and Technology Honors program. You can reach her at mmokashi@uab.edu


"In the midst of pre-med courses, Neuroethics was a nice change of pace. Neuroethics is taught by Dr. May who always brings some topic or concept which will have you thinking/second guessing yourself. In a nutshell, the course strives to do two things: look at ethics from a neuroscientific perspective and look at neuroscience from an ethical perspective. This leads to a host of questions such as should brain imaging be allowed in courts? Should we be held responsible for violence caused from implicit bias? Is it our moral obligation to use cognitive enhancements? These are just a few questions that Neuroethics challenged me to ponder. Not only is the course engaging, but the challenge it offers helps to augment anyone in the sciences. The various perspectives one learns to take can directly be applied to research or even medicine; specifically by teaching the student how to formulate questions to challenge a claim/problem. For this reason, I think this course is a great addition to one’s schedule and guarantee it will be a lot of fun. As the field of Neuroscience grows rapidly, Neuroethics will prepare students to question whatever new advancements Neuroscience offers."

JaVarus Humphries took this course in Spring 2017. He is the Co-Founder of Spreading Awareness, a Research Assistant in the Translational Research for Injury Prevention, and a part of the Science and Technology Honors Program. You can reach him at jaehan@uab.edu

Internships/fellowships:

http://www.bioethics.net/jobs/summer-research-internship-in-neuroethics/ 
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/clinical-transformation/depts/ethics-humanities/neuroethics
http://www.bioethics.net/jobs/clinical-neuroethics-fellowship/ 

Further Education:
http://ethics.emory.edu/pillars/health_sciences/neuroethics.html
https://clinicalbioethics.georgetown.edu/neuroethicsprogram
https://case.edu/medicine/bioethics/
http://www.crb.uu.se/research/neuroethics/

Organizations:
https://www.braininitiative.nih.gov/about/neuroethics.htm
http://www.dana.org/news/neuroethics.aspx
https://neuroethicswomenleaders.com/links/

Edited by Nadia Anabtawi 

My Life in Norway: A Study Abroad Memoir by Remy Meir

In the spring of 2017 I decided to embark on a life-changing journey. I stuffed my

bags with winter clothes and jetted off to Oslo, Norway. I spent six months studying abroad at the University of Oslo and it was by far the most impactful experience of my college career. Not only was the country absolutely breathtaking, but also the people I met and the experiences we shared will not be easily forgotten. However, when I first arrived, I really had to work to adjust to Norwegian culture. They are a pretty reserved group of people. It took some time to break through the reserved shell that a lot of Norwegians have, but once you were in, you had a friend for life. The easiest way I found to make friends with locals was to get involved on campus and pick up hobbies that Norwegians love. There is a running joke that Norwegians are born with skis on their feet, however when I was there, I quickly learned this was not a joke. In order to blend in, I rented cross-country skis from my university and then spent most weekends and some days after class hitting the snow-covered hills behind my student village. I think that was one of my favorite parts of Norway, how perfectly intertwined the nature and cities were and how the people who lived there take full advantage of it.

Beyond my involvement in traditional Norwegian activities, I also got involved in a research lab on campus. Prior to leaving home, I reached out to a professor at the University of Oslo to ask if I could intern in her lab during my semester abroad. She was incredibly accommodating and welcomed me into her lab with open arms. I enjoyed working with her so much that I am trying to return to Norway to complete my research project. In order to do so I am applying for the Fulbright Scholarship. This scholarship would fully fund me to live in Norway for ten months in order to complete my research. If someone had asked me freshman year if I saw myself applying for Fulbright in the future I would have just laughed. However, now that I have built up so much support on my campus and had the experience of applying and winning Goldwater, I want to continue to push myself. I think that more students should try to apply for these awards because you never know how it will impact your life.

For me studying abroad was more than seeing the Northern Lights, learning to cross-country ski, or even working in a foreign research lab. It was about throwing myself into a new experience and figuring out how I could take advantage of all the opportunities at my fingertips. Completely submersing yourself in a different culture gives you a new perspective on the world and can help you see a clear path for your future. I can honestly say that all my friends that studied abroad would tell future students the same thing. We all came back with a new outlook on life that helped to shape the future we see ahead of us. If you are hesitant about studying abroad, throw that nervous energy away and head to the education abroad office. A student never comes back saying that they regret the time they lived in another country, students regret never taking that chance. Go out, learn something new, meet someone new, and take advantage of all life has to offer. 

Q&A:

1.    Describe your time at Norway and the enjoyable moments.

I studied abroad spring of 2017 at the University of Oslo in Norway. One of my favorite things about being in Europe was that I got to travel to Italy, Slovenia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, and the Netherlands.  I also thoroughly enjoyed exploring Norway from the fjords to the Northern Lights; Norway had some of the most breathtaking nature I have ever experienced. I’m also a huge winter person so being able to cross-country ski almost every weekend was a ton of fun, and then as soon as it warmed up we traded in our skis for hiking boots.

     2. What were some of the shocks and challenges that you had to overcome?

One of the challenges I had to overcome was adapting to Norwegian culture. They are a pretty reserved group of people, so making friends was initially a challenge. However, once I started to get involved on campus and with different hobbies it was easy to create new friendships. I also developed a lot of close relationships with other international students helping me to gain a better perspective on the world as well as some of my closest friends. The only other thing that posed a real challenge was initially learning how to navigate public transportation. I have never lived in a city almost completely dependent on public transportation, so learning how to get around via bus and t-bane was a whole new world. However, once I figured it out, I absolutely loved it and coming back to the United States where I have to drive everywhere was a challenge.

3.   How did you get involved in research in Norway?

Prior to leaving the United States, I looked up professors in Norway who were doing similar research to my lab at UAB or their research was close to my interests. Once I found a professor I was interested in working with, I sent her an email about how I was planning to study abroad and would love the chance to intern in her lab. She was super accommodating and welcomed me into her lab with open arms. I loved getting a different research experience and in fact loved it so much that I am trying to return to Norway on the Fulbright Scholarship to complete my research.

4.   What are the differences of research done there compared with UAB or the US in general?

For me, it was a big change because I went from a basic research lab to a translational, human based lab. However, it worked to my advantage because they considered me an expert in animal models and I regularly had to give presentations on animal models of projects they were trying to figure out how to translate into a human model. It was a great experience to work on my scientific communication, especially with a crowd of people who didn’t have the same first language as me. They made a rule that during lab meetings everyone had to speak in English, which at first made me feel like a burden, but we all ended up having fun trying to communicate scientific ideas in different languages. They helped me learn some Norwegian and I helped them strengthen their English.

5.   Any advice to students who are thinking about studying abroad?

My advice to students who are thinking about studying abroad is to just do it! I work in the education abroad office now, and the students we see never regret taking the chance to live in a different country, students regret letting this chance pass them by. I also think that students should do plenty of research before they go so that they can take full advantage of the opportunities at their host university. I truly think getting involved in a research lab while I studied abroad enhanced my experience.

6.    How did your Goldwater and other experiences at UAB prepare you when you were abroad?

I actually won Goldwater while I was in Norway, so that was pretty exciting. I think that winning this award is what helps to fuel me to apply for further awards like Fulbright. I have built up so much support on UAB’s campus and now at UiO, that I just want to continue to push myself to see what I can achieve. I really think that students should challenge themselves to go after awards like these because you never know how much it will impact your life. Trust me, when I was a freshman I would have never thought that I would be standing here today a Goldwater Scholar, who just spent a semester in Norway, trying to apply to go abroad again. My biggest advice to students in general is to find something they are truly passionate about and then don’t let anything get in the way of their pursuit of that goal.

Remy Meir is a senior, an Honors College Ambassador, an Undergraduate Research Ambassador, co-founder of Pre-PhD Society, and the chief editor of the Inquiro undergraduate research journal. 
Contributed by Remy Meir                                 Edited by Jasmine Cunningham and Isabella Mak
                      

2017 Summer Research Highlight: Amgen Scholars

Three neuroscience students, Cody Savage, Niharika Loomba, and Jasmin Revanna (pictured below) were selected for the Amgen Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), Stanford University, and Caltech respectively. According to the Amgen Scholars' website, scholars are provided with financial support along with the opportunities to conduct research, to present data and results, and to develop working relationships with faculty mentors and students.

Here are some Q&As with them:
Cody Savage described his time at WUSTL:
What are some memorable experiences and benefits you gained?
 "I can program now using MATLAB! I met many wonderful people here and it was nice to have a full time research experience where the PI paid a lot of attention to you. We were also given MCAT/GRE preparations, mock interviews, personal statement writing workshops, and were taught how to write our own proposal."

Fun things to do?
"We explored the town, went to the arch, city museum (easily the coolest thing in St. Louis), went to a Cardinals game. I made a ton of new friends here. Especially my 5 roommates!"

Any advice?
"DO IT! You will have soooo much fun and it will be a fantastic learning experience. The worst thing they can tell you is no. Also, get like 5 people to check your essays before you turn them in. I started the application process by making a list of interesting programs around Thanksgiving break, applied for them during winter break."

Niharika Loomba was looking for programs with a strong focus on doing research. At the UAB Office of National and International Fellowships and Scholarships, Dr. Cook immediately recommended Amgen.

What are some memorable experiences and benefits you gained?

"Honestly, I received so many more benefits than I thought were possible. For example, I had the opportunity to work in a wet lab that studies how maternal illness during pregnancy can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism. At the end of the summer, I presented my research at the Stanford Summer Research Program Symposium as a poster presentation and an oral presentation. One of my favorite moments was when I was awarded Best Poster at the awards ceremony we had after the symposium because I could see that my hard work had paid off. I was also able to network and meet with Stanford PI’s and grad students face to face and ask them about applying to graduate school. Additionally, we had a variety of workshops targeted towards professional development and work-life balance that were very beneficial and eye-opening." 

Fun things to do?

"Probably my favorite part of my program at Stanford, aside from the research, was getting to hang out with all of the people in my program. Being in a tight-knit community of young scientists was absolutely incredible, and I am so glad to have made so many lifelong friends through it. Over the weekends, we had the chance to do fun things like take the Caltrain down to San Francisco and explore the city, take a trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, or just hang out in downtown Palo Alto and get some ice cream or coffee. The Bay Area also always has events going on, so I even got to go to two concerts this summer!"

How did you prepare in order to become a competitive applicant?

"I started asking my professors for recommendation letters around October so I could give them plenty of time to think about the letter before it was due in February. I started about thinking about which of the 10 institutions I wanted to apply to in late December. Once I determined the schools I wanted to apply to, I started my actual application for the program at the very beginning of January. That gave me a full month to do my research on each school’s program and get my essays completed and perfected before the February 1st deadline."

Any advice?

"DO IT! I can say for a fact that every single person in my program did not expect to get accepted in Stanford’s summer research program. Do not let your imposter syndrome hinder you from potentially being accepted into a truly beneficial program and having the best summer of your life. If you are interested in getting your PhD in any science field, you will learn so much more than you could have ever imagined in terms of getting into graduate school and what it is like to be a graduate student."

Jasmin Revanna made a video showing how she spent her summer in California: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2SqD_sw61hzVkdFRHoxRFUxT00/view?usp=sharing

Any advice?
"My advice to you is just believe in yourself. Do not think you are not good enough to apply to these kinds of programs. As cliche as this quote is, it is 100% accurate: "You miss 100% percent of the shots you don't take." Cody, Niharika and I all have one thing in common -- we are no where close to perfect. What kept us going was our passion for science. You don't need a 4.0 GPA and you don't need to be published. What you need to do is establish connections with the people you would be asking for recommendations and starting applications early. Lastly, go talk to your advisor as soon as possible. Dr. Gavin has been a phenomenal advisor to all three of us with her continual encouragement and support."

• Cody Savage is a Supplemental Instructor for Cell Biology class, serves as the Vice President, and on the Service and Outreach Committee for the Undergraduate Neuroscience Society, a funding manager for Taste of Science Birmingham. 
• Niharika Loomba is a TrailBlazer, a Teaching Assistant for Anatomy lab, Neuroscience Program Ambassador, and in the Delta Phi Omega Sorority. 
• Jasmin Revanna is an Undergraduate Research Ambassador, a reviewer of IMPUSE Neuroscience Journal, and the captain of Apsara dance team. 

• https://www.uab.edu/news/student-experience/item/8190-three-uab-students-selected-for-the-2017-amgen-scholars-program
• http://www.amgenscholars.com/

2017 Summer Research Highlights: Center for RNA Biology at OSU

Tina Tian, a neuroscience student, was accepted into the Center for RNA Biology Summer Undergraduate Program at Ohio State University, which ran in coordination with the REU in Molecular Biology sponsored by NSF.

She started by combing through hundreds of REU sites, specifically ones that focused on molecular genetics. "I stumbled upon the Ohio State University’s molecular genetics REU and applied…and was accepted by their Center of RNA Biology’s summer program instead, which is run alongside the REU program. The Center of RNA Biology’s program is aimed more towards people who may be considering a career in medicine along with a career in research," Tina Tian said.

Tian worked at the Sullivan Lab in the Department of Microbiology. Her project aimed to characterize novel bacteriophages that are active against pathogenic E. coli to eventually develop phage therapy options in response to the rise of antibiotic resistance. In terms of lab work, she gained new knowledge in research techniques regarding bacteria cultures and phage lysate generation. She described how huge The Sullivan lab is, "Apparently they are “The Virus Lab” at Ohio State with probably over 30 people working in the lab total." With 2 days of training, she joined their large-scale experiments. Even though it was a steep learning curve, working in a lab full-time for a change has given her a glimpse of what the future may look like.

"Both the REU and this Center for RNA Biology programs offer opportunities to think, talk, and write like a scientist, having all students give a 5 minute presentation about their summer project in front of PI’s and grad students in the first 2 weeks, writing a lay document, writing specific aims, and arguing about research ethics. We’ve also toured OSU’s cutting-edge microscopy center as well as their greenhouse."

"The program has definitely provided a great means of making new friends, people who are just as interested in research as you are and can be excited about it. Plus, with all the restaurants around OSU that take the BuckID, there are a lot of places to hang out and try new foods every day. Also, have to take advantage of the gym at OSU after all the food, haha. (Fun fact: OSU has 4x the number of students as UAB. Campus is like 2 miles across. It’s about a mile to walk to lab every day!). I haven't had a chance yet to truly explore the city but I do have some places in mind such as CoSci and the zoo/aquarium. The Sullivan lab itself has many undergraduate students who have graciously taken me in and are eager to show me around Columbus."

If you are interested in exploring similar research programs, this is what she has to say:

"Definitely start your applications as early as possible. Have as many people read your personal statement as you can. One personal statement can work for many applications, and honestly, apply to as many as you care to since there are no fees! I believe I applied for around 14 with 2 acceptances. Spread yourself out and hope for the best. These programs are definitely more research than medicine focused, so you do have to truly have an interest in pursuing research in your future career path!" She added that she aimed for 6 weeks in advance contacting professors who will write recommendation letters early in the application process, and giving periodic reminders, which is a key to ensuring that letter writers do not get upset.

Tina Tian is a senior in the neuroscience program, in the Science and Technology Honors program, founder of Music Notes for the Souls. You can reach her at tinatian@uab.edu.
http://rna.osu.edu/education-and-outreach/undergraduate-program/
https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp

Contributed by Tina Tian
Edited by Isabella Mak

 

2017 Summer Research Highlight: SURE at UAB

Two neuroscience students, Baraa Hijaz and Benjamin Borg, were accepted into the Surgery Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) summer program. Although Hijaz had research experience since he started his freshman year, he explained the SURE program aims to guide students aspiring to be physician scientists through the career process and provides an innumerable amount of opportunities for the students. While working on his own project, he was allotted times to shadow top tier surgeons and surgeon scientists, attend seminars ranging from GRE prep to research career development, and present at regional conferences and the UAB Summer Expo. Because his current trajectory is to aim at attaining a MD/PhD or pursuing a post doctoral fellowship after medical school/residency, he felt that this program was a perfect fit.

He said one of the main benefits of the program was the independence he was able to experience. 

"I believe that in order for a student that is new to science to truly excel, some degree of independence is necessary. After I received my initial training and learned most of the necessary techniques and experiments by my mentor, it was up to me to plan and execute the remainder of my experiments for my project. Dauntingly, this required me to read more literature and learn new things by trial and error. Doing so, however, led to a greater understanding of the overarching objective and the specificities of every experiment I conducted, ultimately allowing me to learn more and exceed my own expectations," Hijaz said. 

Outside of research, he was able to make new friends with other summer students, including medical students, residents, and undergraduate students from different institutions. One of the students taught him better ways to cook and meal prep, and was also his new gym buddy! 

"My mentor, Dr. Herbert Chen, took the lab to Trident Marina at Smith Lake, one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. There I learned to jet ski, water board, and surf!" (Pictured below)

He began writing his statement of interest around late December before the February application deadline. If you are interested in exploring similar opportunities, this is what he has to say: 

"I would mainly advise that students understand why they would like to pursue research. These programs are largely centered on students who are truly passionate about the investigative effort and hope to one day make a difference in the world through their endeavors in science. You will enjoy every second you spend at the bench if you are truly impassioned about the difference you’re making by conducing research. Keep your grades up, stay active on campus, and pursue your passions; this will take you a long way."

Baraa Hijaz is a sophomore in the neuroscience program, in the Science and Technology Honors program, and a research ambassador at the Office of Undergraduate Research. You can reach him at bhijaz@uab.edu. 

https://www.uab.edu/medicine/surgery/SURE

Contributed by Baraa Hijaz 
Edited by Isabella Mak

17 THINGS THE CLASS OF '17 LEARNED AT UAB

Well, this is the last post of the school year, and my final post as editor of this blog. If anyone knows anything about me, it's that my time at UAB has been a blur of confusion and learning to figure my life out, and honestly, it's really a shame that it has taken me so long to do so. I imagine that I'm not the only one who suffers from chronic life crises, so here a few pearls of wisdom, some trivial and some more important, that I, along with the neuroscience class of 2017, want to share with the rest of the world.

1. GO AFTER YOUR EDUCATION, NOT JUST THE DEGREE. Stop trying to rush through it all!!! It can be hard to not look at your undergraduate career as just a 4 year block to get you to the finish line, but take a minute and embrace what you're learning. At least give it a shot, learning can be fun sometimes!
2. PUT EFFORT INTO YOUR WORK. First and foremost, you're a student and you've been given a chance to go to a great school. Don't take that for granted. 
3. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THE EXPERT, and chances are, you're not. That's okay though! College is the time to learn new things. Being a successful student isn't about what you know, it's about how much you learn.
4. TAKE A CLASS IN A SUBJECT UNRELATED TO YOUR MAJOR. Find at least one subject, topic of interest, whatever, and take it! Taking other subjects, and doing well in them, shows that you can be diverse. The experience might not be what you expected, but whether its good or bad, at least you did it. 
5. DON'T WASTE YOUR BREAKS! Volunteer, shadow some professionals, apply for internships! These opportunities beyond classwork look great on resumes, and they make for really good speaking points during interviews. Ultimately, you are going to get a job someday. They probably care less how well you did in class compared to how well you did during internships, research, etc. Working with professionals and getting your name out can also help with your applications.
6. IT'S OKAY NOT TO TAKE THE SAME PATH YOU FEEL LIKE EVERYONE ELSE TOOK OR THAT YOU SHOULD TAKE. Don't be afraid to venture into uncharted territory by separating yourself from everyone else.That just means you're different. Do what you want to do! You'll find yourself working harder and being much happier doing it. 
7. TAKE BREAKS AND RELAX WITH FRIENDS. Don't lock yourself in a room and think that all you need to do for four years is study. That's boring... and hard! Before you feel like you're getting overwhelmed, just stop and do something fun. Don't get burnt out when it's crunch time.
8. YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH. Many people think going to the gym is all you need to stay healthy, but in college, taking care of your body is nothing compared to taking care of your mind. It affects how you approach your school work and how you see life. Like #5 said, hang out with some friends and do something fun. Also, take advantage of UAB's free counseling services if you need to!
9.  JOIN A STUDENT ORGANIZATION. It's a great way to find some time to relax. Find a group with a goal that you like, or people that you like. Many will have regular meetings, which will force you to leave work and do something meaningful to you. 
10. STUDY ABROAD or explore a unique opportunity. You may have this idea of what a "traditional" student does. Well, whatever that looks like to you, do something that they wouldn't or can't do. For many, it's studying abroad, but living and going to school in a different setting is a once in a lifetime experience. 
11. EXPLORE BIRMINGHAM! Don't take this beautiful city for granted. It's on the up-and-up, and you're here for all of it. Many people come to UAB for its opportunities, but a number of those are outside of UAB and in the city of Birmingham. Go find them! You can't enjoy the city you're living in, or the school that you're going to, if you don't go out and explore it.
12. THE BEST TIME TO GO TO THE COMMONS IS DURING BREAKFAST AND FRIED CHICKEN THURSDAYS. The Commons has gotten more consistent throughout the years, but there are still some days that are better than others. If you want to make sure you're going to get at least a decent meal at the Commons, go during breakfast (especially on the weekends) and on Thursday evenings, when they usually have good chicken and, sometimes, french toast.
13. BEWARE OF THE BIRDS BY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. The sign has disappeared, but the birds have not. Trust us...
14. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR EMAIL! Seriously... please. Connect it to your phone if you need to. You may think there are too many unimportant emails, but the best opportunities come through there. Read the emails and respond when you can, it makes life so much easier for everyone. The worst thing is missing an important email. 
15. TALK TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN. Don't forget that college will be the most important networking opportunity of your life. A large part of opportunities outside of school can come from who you know. Talk to your professors and peers, even if you don't think you need them because you never know what they can offer you, or what you can offer them.
16. ASK QUESTIONS! Questions are the key to a successful life... kind of. It is the best way to learn anything and everything you want. It's also the best way to build relationships. It seems like a no brainer, but you'd be surprised. As a student, you may think that your accomplishments are what are going to get you noticed, but telling everyone how great you are isn't going to show them that you're interested in what they have to say. It's definitely not going to get you that friendship, research opportunity, rec letter, etc. 
17. IT'S OKAY TO GET LOST! No one is supposed to have things figured out, and most people don't. That being said, you have more time than you think. You want to find what you want to do, and what you like to do. If that means taking an extra year, take it. You won't be the only one in that boat.

And that's it for me! Thanks to anyone who sent in some of your trade secrets for navigating the inner workings of undergraduate life at UAB, and thanks to everyone who read the blog this past year. It's been fun. Be on the look out for awesome things next semester with the new editor!       ~ Celeste

ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

By Coldplay Emily Jennings

Travelling abroad does not seem like something STEM majors have time to do, what with all of the course requirements, research, and various other activities students have going on in their lives. Well I am here to tell you that that is 100% NOT true.

Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh Castle

Until the winter of 2015, I did not think I would get the chance to study abroad. Like many other STEM majors, I was trying to balance a lot at one time: research, academics, a leadership role, volunteering, four minors, and somehow also my health. Life was going well for the most part, but I felt like science was all I ever did. I decided it was time for a break. I needed to do something I had always wanted to do while I had the chance; so, I decided to study abroad for one semester.

One day I was walking around the fifth floor of Heritage Hall when I saw a flyer for a study abroad experience in Scotland. I knew I had to go, and for three main reasons: my ancestry, my favorite hobby, and my desire to visit the Isle of Skye.

Besides being the home of my ancestors, Scotland is also one of the best places to pursue my favorite hobby: history! I am absolutely a history fanatic, and UAB does not offer history courses in one of my favorite topics, British medieval history. When I read the lists of medieval history courses offered by universities in Scotland, I became super excited. I was finally presented with the opportunity to learn about and discuss my favorite topic with people who cared about that topic in the country responsible for that topic! What could possibly be cooler than that?!

Quiraing, Isle of Skye, Scotland (I'm still amazed I actually took 
this picture. This just goes to show how beautiful Scotland really is)

The next steps were choosing the right program and preparing my application. The University of Stirling was my first-choice program two reasons. First, the program at Stirling is an exchange program, which means I paid the same tuition fees to study abroad as I would have paid to spend the semester at UAB. Second, Stirling is basically in the middle of Scotland and very accessible, making it easy to travel.

As for the actual process of applying for study abroad programs, it is very simple. All I had to do was create an account on the UAB Education Abroad website, fill out the requested documents, and meet with Ms. Megan Talpash to go over the other necessary steps. Once I was accepted to the University of Stirling, I began applying for study abroad scholarships. Once that was all done, I just had to wait for my departure date. On September 8, 2016, I flew to Scotland.

For the first month, I spent the weekends travelling, mostly within the bounds of Scotland. As someone who has travelled around continental Europe, I thought it was best that I got to know the country in which I was studying rather than trying to visit the rest of Europe; so, I went on adventures to Loch Ness, Inverness, Edinburgh, and the Shetland Islands to name a few. The greatest adventure of all of my trips was the weekend I spent on the Isle of Skye.

As I mentioned above, the Isle of Skye is one of the main reasons I chose to study in Scotland. A few years ago, I saw several pictures of the Isle of Skye on Pinterest. I was absolutely amazed at the stunning, rugged beauty portrayed and decided that I needed to visit such a magical-looking place. I spent my second weekend in Scotland driving and walking around the Isle of Skye, taking gorgeous pictures in the process. Those pictures serve as proof of the incredible scenery on the Isle of Skye, which is, in my opinion, the most beautiful place in the world. I encourage you all to visit some day.

Stirling, Scotland: Stirling Castle and adjoining graveyard

After a month of travelling around Scotland, I began to explore more of Stirling. I also became involved with the fencing club, one of the many athletics clubs at the University of Stirling. I had never fenced before but had always wanted to do so. With the encouragement of one of my flatmates (also a study abroad student), I became a fencer. Not only was the sport great fun, the people were so kind! Though I was a beginner, everyone in the fencing club was very encouraging and always willing to lend a helping hand, a common trend across the entire university.

Travelling and joining the fencing club were great experiences, but the most important part of my entire study abroad experience was the people I met. My flatmates, classmates, and the fencing club members were all wonderful people, and many of them have become some of my dearest friends. It was those wonderful people who made my entire study abroad experience so memorable and fun. There is no doubt that, while Scotland is stunningly beautiful and full of history and things to do, I would not have had the time of my life were it not for the people I met.

Uig, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Overall, my study abroad experience was absolutely incredible. There is no way it could have been any better than it was. I made new friends, picked up a new sport, indulged in one of my favorite hobbies, visited the land of my ancestors, and grew as a person. That last point is one of the biggest reasons why I think study abroad is such an invaluable experience: it helps you to learn more about yourself and grow as a person. Just generally travelling also helps one to learn about his- or herself, but, as someone who has travelled a lot, I strongly believe actually living somewhere helps you to grow in a different way because it is a different type of experience. No vacation or backpacking trip compares to actually living in a different country and culture.

I was asked to also comment in this article on whether or not my study abroad experience changed my undergraduate experience. I would like to say that it completely altered my undergraduate experience. Studying abroad led me to change part of my post-graduation plans.

Stirling, Scotland: At the top of Wallace Monument

Spending a semester away from science allowed me to step back and think hard about what I want to do with my life and what will make me happiest in the long run. A few months before leaving for Scotland, I decided to delay my medical school applications for one year in order to pursue a super cool master’s program in neuroscience. My experience abroad made me more comfortable with that decision and provided assurance that I am moving along the right career path. Living in Stirling specifically made me realize that I do not feel at home anywhere in the world as much as I do in Scotland; so, I will be moving back to Scotland after completing my master’s degree and only applying to medical schools in Scotland. This is a massive change from the ultra-organized and planned out person I was before studying abroad; but, in the end, life happens, people change, and things do not work out as they are planned, which is perfectly okay. It’s the unexpected events that make life so fun and worth living.

In conclusion (kudos to you folks who have made it this far), STEM majors can study abroad, and they should. I am a STEM major who studied abroad, and it was possible because I completed all but one of my major classes and most of my thesis before senior year. I had designated senior year as the time to complete all of my minors, but I decided that learning about physics, biology, and psychology are all things I can do later; you only get one chance to study abroad, and that is your university years. I could not pass up the opportunity, so I dropped three of my four minors and made the time to study abroad.

So, for all of you undergraduate students reading this article, my advice to you is this: study abroad, and while you’re at it, step out of your comfort zone, try things you’ve never done before, go on adventures, and don’t be afraid to make friends. It just might change your life! Also, if you’re going to study abroad, try mixing things up a bit. Don’t take all science classes. Take some classes that have to do with the culture of the area in which you are studying. It will definitely enhance your experience. Going along those same lines, even if you do not study abroad, don’t be afraid to pursue areas of interest outside of science just because you want to be a scientist or physician (or both). We all know that science is fun, challenging, interesting, and rewarding, but it is not the only part of life that matters. In order to really appreciate life and all that it has to offer, you need to do more than just science. Just like blue is the best color in the rainbow, but it’s not the only one; you have to look at all of the colors to appreciate a rainbow’s beauty.

If you're interested in finding out more information about study abroad, please check out the UAB Education Abroad website!

Isle of Skye, Scotland: The Cuillin (a mountain range in the south portion of the island)

Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Glendale, Isle of Skye, Scotland: one of
four sets of rainbows I saw that day

Stanage Edge in the Peak District
 National Park in England

Stirling, Scotland: A walk up Dumyat
about 1 hour before sunset

Bigton, Shetland Islands: Beach to
St Ninian's Isle

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland

Stirling, Scotland: The Beheading Stone
on Gowan Hill with Wallace Monument
in the background

Stirling, Scotland: The bell tower from
the ruins of Cambuskenneth Abbey, where
King James III of Scotland is buried

University of Stirling: Dormitories
with Dumyat (the big hill that is
actually a part of a mountain range)
in the background

Glenfinnan, Scotland: Glenfinnan
Viaduct (where the Hogwarts Express
was filmed travelling to Hogwarts)

The Storr, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Sumburgh, Shetland Islands: an
Iron Age wheelhouse at Jarlshof,
an archaeological site dating
backto the Neolithic Period

Bakewell, England: Chatsworth House
(The family home of Henry Cavendish,
the guy who determined the composition
of water and recognized hydrogen as an
element; also the location where the 2005
version of Pride & Prejudice was filmed)

Glasgow, Scotland: Buchanan Street