To the high school graduates who are turning their focus to the college transition, honors outreach ambassadors offer words of welcome, encouragement and a few tips from their own experiences.
Claire Graham values the friendships she made through the honors program during her first year on campus and the ongoing mentorship of accomplished faculty who she says "truly want the best for their students." Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Claire also offers up tips on her favorite spots in downtown Iowa City.
Dear Prospective Student,
Congratulations and welcome! Whether that be a welcome to the University of Iowa or a welcome to the next stage of life, your accomplishments deserve to be celebrated. High school has come and gone, and you've probably realized that it is nothing like the movies (still waiting for Troy Bolton to start singing during a basketball game), and I'm pretty sure you've heard people tell you that college will be the "best four years of your life". I am only two years through these "best" years, and I cannot say confidently that it has been the best. However, I can say that I have grown and learned more about myself and the world around me than in all years past.
Hi! My name is Claire, and I am a second-year student at the University of Iowa studying biomedical engineering. Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, I am an active member of the honors program and do undergraduate research at a lab within University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). I find a lot of joy in reading (the Iowa City Public Library quickly has become a weekly stop for me), running (I recommend Hickory Hill Park and Terry Trueblood Recreation Center), and exploring all the coffee shops and restaurants around (Java House, Fix, Press, High Ground – my list goes on and on). Iowa City has something for everyone, and I have loved getting to experience everything this little town has to offer.
I chose Iowa for its ability to not only be a great academic institution but also a big-ten school with a pretty epic fan base. When beginning my college search, I was fixated on the acceptance rates of the schools I was applying to. As it got closer to deciding my new home, Iowa was beginning to present itself as the best option. This wasn't initially what I had thought I wanted in a college, but thankfully hindsight is 20/20 and I cannot be happier with my decision.
Through my time at Iowa, I have been able to meet some amazing people. On my first day on campus, I walked up to a group of girls who looked equally as lost as I was while trying to find our Honors Primetime in the basement of North Hall. Through this first connection, I was able to find a great group of friends in Daum Residence Hall whom I still talk to and see daily. I cannot say enough positive things about these individuals. They are some of the most hardworking and intelligent people I have met, and I am amazed and inspired by them constantly.
Within the College of Engineering (and truly all departments on campus), I have been able to learn from and be mentored by tremendous faculty who are so willing to help students out. The professors are extremely accomplished in their respective fields and truly want the best for the students. It is so evident that they focus on student success and pour into us to help us achieve our goals.
I wish you the best of luck in whatever lies ahead of you. Please feel free to reach out to honors-program@uiowa.edu if you have any questions or just need to talk things through with someone. Go Hawkeyes!
Take Care,
Claire Graham
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