Student Profile
Chanda
- Class: Alum
- Major: Journalism
- Gender: F
- High School: Wake Christian Academy
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
UNC is really great. It may seem big at first especially if you are used to a smaller school environement, but getting involved on campus and in your community really makes it shrink and by the end of your career there it'll just feel like home! Big controversy we've had lately is safety and racial issues as Eve Carson our Student Body President was recently murdered. However, it is never smart to walk around anywhere by yourself at night as a female so use the buddy system and I know I always felt safe there and usually went places with people/friends and let people know where I was (no one is exempt from crazy people so it's wise to be smart!) Also due to it being a white girl killed by black males that has brought some issues up, but as I've said racism is everywhere and ignorance reigns supreme with people generalizing rude and biggoted statements to entire races and peoples.
Academic Life
School is tough. Since most people were top of their class they really never learned to study because they were just smart like that. However, you'll have to learn what works for you and how to study. So don't be dissapointed when you don't get a 4.0 your first semester, it's a learning process that can be mastered quickly. How much studying and work required depends on things like your own personal work ethic/intellegence along with what your major is or what type of classes you are taking along w/ extracurriculars. It's really about balancing and finding out what works for you. I know for me , I don't study well with others because i'm easily distracted so I either closed myself in my room ...but sometimes that just leads to you falling asleep..so I would go to the library after/betwen classes and meetings or practices. Professors are usuallly understanding and approachable. Since it is a large university it is wise to talk to/get to know your professors especially those in your major courses so you have references and people to help you with internships and jobs. Although you are given a academic advisor as a freshmen they are not always the most helpful people so feel free to find someone else that you find most helpful--there are always plenty of options for adopting an advisor : ) The education is geared toword education itself and jobs. Depending on what department/school you are in some are more job based and others maybe in higher eduacation (grad school etc...)--which is usually the most practicle for whatever feild you are attempting to be in.
Student Body
UNC has everyone. People of differnt races, religions, sexual orientations and SES. Everyone's not rich, white, females. There are less of certain groups, but that is life. It is very easy to find people like you if you get out there and are social especially when you come in as freshmen. AS a minority I would suggest getting involved in pre-O a welcoming program for freshman minorities to meet each other and minority faculty and staff. Furthermore as minority there are programs that you may be invited to while you are still in HS and those can also help you see if UNC is right for you while getting to know others who might attend. There are racist/ignorant people who are bound to make some foolish comment during your time there--but that is also everywhere. Most of the time it's said more-so in ignorance and that's when you can educate (nicely or not depending on your personality). It's nice to be in classes that deal with things because the teachers usually let you discuss and when an ignorant white person makes a bigotted comment you can rebut immediatly and you'll usually have other minorities in there to applaud you who were thingking the same thing : ) Students politically and ideally are a mix from righ --with republicans, christian organizations etc.. to left with drag shows and Democratic student organizaitons...there is a place for anyone Student's are great...I have definately met many freinds for life in my time there and although I just graduatated I'll miss it all!
The Best Things
the people, eveyone's great
The Worst Things
Can be overwhelming sometimes because it's a collection of the best and brightest, so you may not shine as much as you used to in HS or other places
