Name:
Sarra Wahdan
Year:
Senior (class of 2017)
Major:
Mathematics
HC: What are your top 3 UIC life hacks?
1) Never study on the 4th floor of the library; you will get zero work done
2) Don’t ever settle for Dunkin coffee; There are so many great cafes near UIC! Love yourself and get coffee from nearby cafes
3) The study rooms in Douglas Hall are A+++
HC: What was your greatest W of your time at UIC?
Besides graduation (which is just a semester away), the greatest part about my time at UIC will definitely be the incredible people that I have met in my 4 years here. I will forever be grateful to UIC for the lovely, inspiring individuals that have entered my life during my time at here. I have learned so much about life and about myself because of the new friends I have made. Definitely a W.
HC: What’s the weirdest or funniest college experience you’ve had?
I’m a very embarrassing person so I’m sure I’ve had plenty weird college experiences, maybe that’s why I can’t choose one. Funniest college experience may be last year (end of my junior year) at this comedy event by a student org I am a part of (Muslim Student Association’s Mosquers event). Long story short, I got roasted in front of an audience of people. I also somehow got nominated for most basic *rolls eyes while sipping Starbucks* at this event so there’s that too.
HC: What is some advice you would give to the freshmen you?
BALANCE IS KEY: study hard, strive for good grades but remember to take care of yourself by balancing your social and academic life. Study, join a club, and have a social life but remember to know your limits. Don’t overwork yourself!
Also, remember to give yourself a break. Sometimes you won’t get the grade you want, and that is okay! That will motivate you to do better next time.
Lastly, enjoy your college life! Meet new people, experience new things, and have a good time!
HC: How does one get involved with clubs?
Make a list of your interests, hobbies, and career goals. I guarantee you that there are student organizations on campus for almost everything on your list. But you have to make an effort to look up the different orgs on campus; go to the involvement fair and you’ll see how many different orgs there are. Find some that match your interests and become an active member by going to events, volunteering, and maybe eventually joining the executive board.
HC: What was one of your favorite classes at UIC?
Sociology 225: Racial and Ethnic Groups
We talk about the effects of racism on the individual, structural, and institutional level. It’s very interesting and super relevant!
HC: Who’s your favorite Professor at UIC?
It’s a tie between Professor Kobotis, who was my professor for 3 math classes and is one of the reasons that I knew mathematics was the right major for me even when it got challenging, and Bradley Zopf who is my Sociology 225 professor and definitely the most “woke” professor.
HC: What’s it like being a math major?
Its definitely different! Whenever I tell anyone what my major is I always get reactions along the lines of “are you crazy?” or “do you hate yourself” or the absolute worst reaction is “can you even do anything with that major?”
Math is challenging, no doubt about it. But I know that in a semester from now, when I graduate, I will feel so accomplished knowing I did it! I majored in a challenging field that I love and I didn’t change my major, I worked through it and I reached the finish line.
The most important thing is to major in something you like and are interested in. Yes, my 4 years of college might have been less stressful if I majored in something “easier” but I wouldn’t feel like I accomplished anything if I didn’t love that major. So yeah, I’m content with choosing to major in math.
HC: What do you enjoy doing with your free time?
Shopping shopping shopping! It’s fun and it’s the best stress reliever! I also recently made a blog called Deen in the Seams. It’s a fashion, faith, and lifestyle blog and it’s really fun for me because I get to rant about clothes, where I shop, cool fashion finds, and post OOTDs too. It’s a nice break from homework and school and allows me to document all my passions onto a blog.
HC: You dress well to school everyday, how do you do it?
Clothes and fashion are forms of self expression. We all need to express ourselves somehow and I choose my outfits as my way to express who I am and who I want to be. Also, I’m a strong believer in the phrase, “if you look good, you feel good.” For me personally, I know that if I dress lazy I will feel lazy. Obviously that’s just who I am as a person, I’m sure some people may be more productive when wearing sweats and a hoodie. But when I dress up for school, I feel more confident and that gives me an extra push to accomplish more that day. Fashion is part of who I am; I won’t feel like myself if I don’t put effort in my outfits.
Another reason is that IT’S FUN! When I wake super tired in the morning, thinking about what outfit to year is what gets me off my bed.
I can answer this question using a quote from my queen Blair Waldorf, “Fashion is the most powerful art there is. It’s movement, design, and architecture all in one. It shows the world who we are and who we’d like to be.”
I dress nice to say who I am without having to say a word. (that was dramatic, I apologize).