R&R was something that I joined over the summer when it was just Vanessa and me. It was a whole new experience as I was getting ready to start Freshman year in College. The whole idea of R&R was new to me but I wanted to join R&R for a nice little escape as a Freshman, so I could relax and get used to this whole new College experience. Due to this platform I was able to connect with new people without even meeting them face to face. We were able to create our own little family and watch this platform grow from just a few members to a whole bunch of new members. I was also able to come out of my shell and make new experiences because of this experience. In the future I believe R&R will continue to grow bigger and be a “home” to plenty of new members.

I learned so much from joining the R and R committee. I learned how to manage my time into doing my school work and posting/participating in the STEM community. I learned how to communicate with the other managers and my partners in creating my room and what should be included into my room.  I believe the R and R has managed to be a place where we can all add in our thoughts and be there for one another. I was happy to hear and see others who want to succeed and do better with me. It was very comforting to find this group of people who are hard workers and are able to nagar themselves. I am able to know what I can handle and how to handle the work given to me. ”

In my sophomore year, I struggled with time management.  I also struggled to understand the material in my STEM classes. It was not until a friend forced me to go to tutoring that I began to do well in my classes.  I hate that it took me so long to utilize this academic resource. I began to do very well in my classes. I recommend CCAPP tutoring to anyone because the tutors are so helpful and you are introduced to a lot of resources.

My personal struggle in transitioning from high school to CCNY freshman was with time management. I had a two-hour commute. My classes ran from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.  Adapting to this unfamiliar stress level, I began to review class material during my commute time and complete homework between classes. This minimized the work that had to be done at home. These strategic adaptations gained me valuable flexible study time.

I was also uncertain about selecting a research opportunity at CCNY.  When I researched the college website, I became overwhelmed by the choices. I decided to meet with various professors to discuss their research work at the labs. This helped me appreciate my interests differently. It became exciting to select an appropriate opportunity.

“I guess this whole community helped me grow as a person and gain experience as well as friendships and courage. It also granted me the experience and practice towards being a leader. This community helped me determine who I would want to be in life and which skills would be useful in the future. I am very thankful to be a part of the STEM Communities.I gained new friendships and a sense of comfort through this platform. I feel like this platform is very useful to new students in order to gain information or to just relax and take a break from the stress of daily life. I think that this platform gave me a new motivation to do something to benefit myself and others.”

Transitioning from high school to CCNY was difficult for me. I believed that my high school physics class offered me a chance to handle material in Physics 207, but soon found out that the teaching style and the content covered was very different at CCNY!  I found myself getting lost in class. It was hard to accept how much study time I needed for physics, and I had difficulties balancing the workload with my other classes. It took the second exam in Physics 207 for me to accept that I needed extra help to improve my grades. I was studying the material for a longer period of time, yet not seeing the grades I wanted.  A physics tutor helped me learn the difficult content in class quicker which allowed me to better apply concepts for homework and exams. I learned which study habits worked effectively for me and the extra practice provided in tutoring helped improve my grades drastically in Physics 207.

As a first-generation undergraduate, I struggled to transition from a small classroom setting in high school to lecture-based courses in college. During my freshman year of college, the amount of effort required to study for courses was much more demanding and rigorous. Seeking guidance from mentors and professors, I adjusted my studying approach to shift from solo studying to studying in groups. This adjustment created opportunities to compensate for my academic weaknesses and meaningful relationships that motivated me to excel on my exams.

Another challenge I encountered as a biology student was the pursuit of research-based experiences. Due to my lack of experience or unfulfilled academic course requirements, applying to a research internship was self-defeating. Finding an applicable research experience that embodied my interest in the sciences was a tedious process consisting of seeking and dealing with rejection. Being interested in orthopedics, my range was limited in the CUNY system. However, through emails from CCAPP, I was able to apply and successfully begin a competitive research internship at NYU researching 3D-printed orthopedic biomaterials. With a set goal and persistence, I was able to find research I enjoyed and an opportunity to grow as a scientist.

When I was a freshman, it was difficult to adopt new study habits and manage my time. I also learned the hard way that it was important to check CCNY emails every day, as not doing so caused me to under-perform in a class one semester. I learned to apply newer study habits like color coding and use of sticky notes and review sheets for every test. “To do” lists became a big part of my life to complete tasks and stay organized.

In my sophomore year, I struggled in a calculus course. I found it difficult to learn from the professor’s teaching approach. I never truly understood the concept of self-studying until that moment! I focused on reading the textbook, took lots of notes, and watched many instructional YouTube videos. I helped form a study group because, if one of us did not know the answer, then another student certainly would. All these new forms of learning and studying helped me receive a strong grade in the class. I carried these habits into future courses.

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As a new transfer student, I struggled to receive attention from my professors. I also felt intimidated by large lecture rooms.  However, the more I actively studied and reached out to professors during office hours, my confidence grew steadily. I was motivated to participate more in class and soon felt assured of my professors’ investment in my academic progress.

I accepted the experience of receiving tutoring. I was able to actively ask questions, talk out ideas, receive feedback, and I saved time by tackling tougher problems with a tutor. As my understanding grew, I saw improved results with class grades and tests. I then expanded my college activities by joining the Engineering Without Borders professional chapter at CCNY, in which I currently hold the role of domestic project secretary.

By being a part of R&R, I have gained a sense of family among the R&R family. I really enjoy taking part in different activities in the R&R room when I need to destress and find motivation. I also have access to STEM resources. I love being a contributing member of R&R and I hope to see the platform flourish.