Name: Emma Colket Mehlman
Hometown: Brookline, MA but recently moved to Newton
Major/Minor: Chemistry major, strategy minor in bschool.
On Campus Involvement: AEPhi
Can you tell us a little bit about what you do as PLTL leader?
If you ask any of the kids in my group, I’m pretty sure they’ll tell you that I just sit there and refuse to tell them the answers. Actually, I have a group of GenChem students that I meet with each week, and I help them while they go through a problem set. I guide them in the right direction if they get stuck by asking them questions to force them to think about the topics more deeply. They come up with all the answers on their own, I’m mostly just there to make sure they show up and can finish the packet!
What’s your favorite part of PLTL?
My favorite part every week is always the hardest question. I KNOW that my group can get there eventually, but on the tough questions, people tend to get really frustrated. That sounds kinda sadistic I don’t really enjoy watching people get frustrated. My favorite part is really when they get past that, when instead of giving up on a problem everyone in the group starts pitching in and discussing with one another about the approaches we could take. I think when you start out thinking that you can’t do something but end up proving yourself wrong, it is a really empowering moment and gives people confidence.
Einsteins or Starbucks?
Starbucks. If you’re looking for me, when in doubt come to Bauer. Or LabSci. But when you find me I’ll probably have a chocolate croissant and a Christmas cup from Starbucks. Sorry I spent all my Bear Bucks, Mom!
The DUC or BD?
BD to do work since I feel like I don’t know a single person in there ever. The DUC for those dumplings at the Asian food station, which I get about 4 times a week.
What advice do you have for freshmen struggling through General Chemistry?
Don’t give up on it!! GenChem is hard for everyone so know that you’re not alone. Getting a grade you weren’t hoping for in GenChem is not the beginning of the end for your med school ambitions (or if you’re like me and are not pre-med, more power to you!). If you’re not doing as well as you had hoped, take advantage of the resources the department offers: PLTL, help sessions, and peer mentoring are all ways that you can improve your study skills. If you’re still feeling down, come find a PLTL leader and we’ll give you a pep talk because we take a class on how to do that and we want to use our new skills.