Hi! My name is Ailish and I am a junior at UCLA. I study Biochemistry and am also a part of the Track and Field team.

Hometown

I am from Newbury Park, CA. Hard to leave southern California!

Major(s)

Biochemistry

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Unified Sports, Run Your City

Describe your college experience

The first few months of freshman year was a big transition for me. I really struggled with not having any close relationships and having to form some all over again. However, after winter quarter but mainly starting sophomore year, I really found my people and started to enjoy the experience more. I have always enjoyed the academics. Going to office hours and getting to know your TA's and professors has really helped me with my understanding and enjoyment of the classes and I find that they are always very helpful. Office hours has been a great way for me personally to feel more connected to the class and not get caught up in the large class size.

Tip for future students

I love this school, but I can't say that was always the case. It took me a while to adjust to both the city life and leaving my friends from home and starting over from scratch. My main tip is to join clubs and go to events even if it is just a one time thing. You can only meet people if you get out and do things that interest you. It is also a great way to find things you dislike and don't want to go back to. There are so many interesting opportunities offered at UCLA, take advantage of some but also don't be pressured to do everything. Find your hobbies and interests and follow them!

Favorite class

My favorite class has been Chem 153A (Biochemistry of structure, enzyme, and metabolism) or Women and Power in the Ancient World. I enjoyed Chem 153A because it is very applicable to long distance running- learned about hemoglobin, lactic acid, metabolism etc. I found that applying the class to something I love and using it to understand training made me both remember the material and enjoy learning it more. Women and Power in the Ancient World was an online asynchronous class I took freshman year because I thought it would be easy (and it was). But, it revealed an interesting point of view of the process of women gaining and losing power in the ancient world through the transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more domesticated farm life. Would definitely recommend this class to fill a general education requirement,

Career goals

I would like to become a Physician Assistant. However, I plan on taking a couple years off, doing odd jobs and traveling.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Free nights are spent either going out in Santa Monica, hosting a game night with friends, or melting into the couch for hours watching movies.

High school or secondary school

Newbury Park High School, Newbury Park, California