Undergraduate Research

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Getting involved in research as an undergrad student can seem daunting, but it really isn’t as complicated as it sounds. I started my role as a research assistant at a developmental psychology lab on campus this semester (spring of freshman year), but I feel like it’s never too early or too late to get involved. The first step is deciding what kind of research you want to get involved in. I’m a psychology major interested in developmental psych, so it naturally made sense to join a lab focusing on that.  To find opportunities that fit what you’re looking for, I recommend either going through the Office of Undergraduate Research or your advisor. You can even meet with a professor you think would have good recommendations (I met with my elementary psychology professor). You can also, of course, search for opportunities on your own, but I always like to get a second opinion. Once you find opportunities you’re interested in, you can fill out applications (which I honestly found to be the most challenging part of this process). Don’t get discouraged if you get rejected from labs; some might not be looking for many new people when you apply. Everything happens for a reason, and you’ll definitely be able to find an opportunity that is perfect for you!

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Snow!

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The Old Capitol covered in snow

 

I’ve always been a huge fan of snow. Growing up, my parents and I would drive to the mountains to go skiing during my winter break. I remember sitting in the backseat of our car, watching the snowflakes fall onto the windows as we got closer to our final destination. Watching the snow fall in Iowa City this February has been absolutely magical and has brought back that same excitement I felt as a kid. While snow means it is FRIGID outside, the beauty of campus covered in a blanket of white makes it worth it. The snow is melting now and the streets are covered in puddles, but I can’t wait until the next time it snows.

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College Assignment Tracker

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In college, there are tons of assignments from multiple classes that all use a different format to set up their course planner for the semester. It’s because of this that I like to make a spreadsheet with all my assignments for the semester. Making an assignment tracker sounds like a daunting task, but I promise it’s a lot easier than it sounds. 

  1. Create a Google spreadsheet (I’m sure there’s a way to do this in Excel too but I unfortunately lack those skills)
  2. Create two headers: “Assignments” and “Due Dates”
  3. Go through each course and write down all the assignments for the semester as well as their due dates. 
  4. Assign a color to each class (this makes it aesthetically pleasing)
  5. Select all the assignments and due dates (don’t forget to select the header row too)
  6. Click “Data” (it should be right below the title of the sheet)
  7. Click “Sort range” and then “Advanced range sorting options”
  8. In the pop-up box, click “Data has header row” and then under “Sort by” click “Due Date” 
  9. Click “Sort” and voila, you have your semester assignment tracker!
  10. You can make a note of when you complete assignments by either using the strike-through or check box feature

Screenshot of my assignment spreadsheet - color coded columns with assignment and due date.These are just the basic steps to do it, but I like to organize mine even more by adding in my tests/quizzes, too, and bolding them with red text so they stand out. I also like to make a box around the week I am currently on so I don’t get overwhelmed by future assignments. I still check the course planners once a week to make sure due dates haven’t changed and update accordingly but I have found this spreadsheet so helpful in mapping out my week and even getting ahead on assignments. 

I hope this helps!

-Simran 

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New Year’s Resolutions

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It’s a new year, which means the start of a new semester is upon us. I had an absolutely incredible first semester and I want nothing more than to make my second semester even better. So, here are some goals of mine to improve my college experience. 

Use My Flex Swipes

Like many other students, I didn’t make the most of my flex swipes. Flex swipes come with your meal plan and can be used at on-campus dining locations that aren’t the three main dining halls. My meal plan came with 75 flex swipes in addition to my regular dining hall meal swipes. At the beginning of the semester, I was frugal with my flex swipes because I thought 75 wouldn’t be enough to last me the whole semester. However, I was very wrong, and at the end of the semester, I had WAY too many and didn’t want them to go to waste. So, like every other student who had done the same, I raided the Clinton Street Market snack aisle and stocked up on enough chips and Powerade to last me all of next semester. I’ve learned my lesson and will definitely be using my flex swipes more regularly next semester. 

Go to Rec Center Classes

I’ve been to the rec center multiple times, but I’ve never attended any of the free workout classes they offer. I just looked at the website, and there are so many fun options to choose from that I can either go to alone or bring a group of friends to join me. 

Explore Iowa City/Coralville

I go into Iowa City’s downtown area quite often, but I usually go to the same few places. Next semester, I want to try new restaurants and coffee shops in addition to going to my favorites. I also want to go to Coralville since I’ve only been there a few times and know there is lots to do and explore there, too. 

-Simran 

 

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Traveling Home for The Holidays

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Since I live 1,885 miles from Iowa City (I Googled it), I always get asked how I deal with traveling. Even though it is so far, I haven’t had any issues, and travel days have been relatively simple (knock on wood). The Cedar Rapids Airport is only a 30-minute car ride from campus, and it is super easy to get an Uber to take you. People at the airport are super friendly and help to ensure your travel day goes smoothly. Once you get through security, there is a Java House pop-up (my favorite coffee shop in Iowa City) that I can never resist grabbing a pre-flight beverage. The airport only has 13 gates, and it only takes about 5 minutes to walk from one end of the terminal to the other, making it nearly impossible to miss your flight. Once you get on the plane, all you have to do is sit back and relax, which I usually do by watching a movie or taking a much-needed nap. I only have 1 connection either through Phoenix, Denver, or Chicago, and those are also pretty easy to navigate even though they are larger airports (just make sure to give yourself enough time). And in a quick 7-hour travel day, I am home for the holidays!

I hope everyone is enjoying spending time with their families and having some well-deserved time off!

-Simran 

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Surviving My First Ice Storm

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At the end of my first semester, I experienced what t is apparently classic Midwest weather: an ice storm. This is when it rains, but the temperatures are below freezing, so it immediately turns to ice when it hits the ground. This turned campus into a giant ice rink. While this sounds like fun, nobody had a pair of ice skates, so it was really just an inconvenience. Crossing the street between my dorm and Burge Market Place, which usually takes 30 seconds, took me a few minutes because I was scared of falling. I was eventually able to successfully make it to the other side (unlike some other people I saw). I think the real trick to surviving an ice storm is minimizing how much you go outside (stock up on microwaveable meals) and having a good pair of boots!

 

 

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My Study Tips

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As we approach the end of the semester and, unfortunately, finals, I thought I’d take a moment to share study tips that I’ve learned during my first few months at Iowa.

  1. Plan out your week
    I always find it helpful to write down all the assignments and tests I have for the week so I can see them all in one place. I personally have my due dates for the entire semester written down in a spreadsheet, but you can also just do this week by week. This makes me feel less overwhelmed by all my assignments and helps me map out when I want to study for upcoming tests. 
  2. Find your favorite study spots 
    Your environment can really affect how productive your studying is. I rarely study in my room because I would be too tempted to lie in my bed instead of doing my work. Get out of your room and try out some different study spots! I personally like to study at the bottom of the IMU, the Stanley Lounge, and the Blank Honors Center. 
  3. Study without distraction 
    This last one might seem obvious, but it is harder than you think. I am someone who loves being surrounded by friends, but when it comes to studying, I know I will never focus on my work with them sitting next to me. I’m not saying a study date with your friends is always a bad idea, but if you have a super important paper or midterm coming up, sometimes it’s best to let yourself work alone so you can truly focus. I do, however, like to study with my friends if we have the same test coming up or if there are just a few low-focus assignments I need to complete. 

I hope these tips help you as much as they’ve helped me!

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Hawkeye Football

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As the fall semester comes to an end, so does the football season. So far, I have been to 5 Iowa football games, each one being an incredibly fun and unique experience. I had only been to one college football game before Iowa, and it was definitely a disappointment compared to the energy in Kinnick Stadium. Everything from the fans eagerly waiting outside the stadium to the Hawkeye Marching Band’s halftime show to the infamous first-quarter children’s hospital wave makes any game day at Iowa unforgettable. It is during the football games, with thousands of fans adorned in black and gold surrounding me, that I feel most like a Hawkeye.

University of Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium filled with Hawkeye fans.

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Iowa City Visitors

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Last weekend, I was delighted with a visit from my best friend from high school, Jasmine. I had been counting down the days until I could see her again and was so incredibly excited to show her my favorite parts of Iowa City. Here are some recommendations of what to do when you have visitors, whether it be friends, family, or a significant other.

Walk Around Iowa City:

This is one of my favorite things to do even when I don’t have visitors, but it is always more fun with company. We probably spent hours walking around Iowa City’s outdoor Ped-Mall, exploring all the cute local shops and listening to music provided by the local troubadours.

Restaurants/Cafes:

Use your friends’ visiting as an excuse to go to all the restaurants you don’t have time for during the school week. My favorite place to take people is The Encounter Cafe for brunch (their cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate are out-of-this-world good).

Pentacrest Picnic:

With the weather still being semi-nice (depending on the day), you might as well take the opportunity to show off the best sunset in Iowa City. Listening to music and catching up while watching the sunset from the back of the Old Capitol building is the perfect way to end your busy day with friends.

I hope everyone has as much fun with their visitors as I did with mine!

-Simran

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My First Fall

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Being from California, I have never experienced the magical moment when the leaves change colors, and the air gets just a little bit colder. Since I was little, my falls have always been filled with warm weather and trips to the beach. So you can imagine my excitement when I finally got cold enough to wear my favorite sweater, and I walked outside to find red leaves dotting the usually green trees. Fall has officially reached the University of Iowa, and it is absolutely breathtaking. 


I hope everyone’s fall is as off to a wonderful start as mine!
– Simran 

 

 

 

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