I'm Mariha, a second year at Connecticut College majoring in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology on the pre-med track. I'm hoping to go into medicine someday, possibly surgical oncology or pediatrics. Outside of academics, I'm the Secretary of our Muslim Students Association and do research at a lab in Cambridge studying how AI can support hands-on lab work. Before college, I was actually a tour guide at my high school, Boston Latin School (the oldest public school in America, founded in 1635), so helping people see a campus's story and picture themselves there is something I already love doing. I'm excited to share what makes Connecticut College special!

Hometown

Boston, Massachusetts

Major(s)

Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology

Minor(s)

Mathematics

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Pre-health Society; Muslim Students Association; Middle Eastern and North African Alliance

Describe your college experience

My transition to college was smoother than I expected. I grew up in Boston, and I was looking for somewhere a little quieter and slower-paced and Conn gave me exactly that. What's made the biggest difference, though, is the people. I've built genuinely close relationships with my professors, the kind where you feel like they actually care about you as a person, not just a student in their class and that's part of what makes me excited to go back every semester. I've also found some of my closest friends here. Everyone I've met has been kind and welcoming, and that made settling in so much easier than I anticipated.

Tip for future students

My biggest tip: say yes to things outside your comfort zone, even if they're not really 'your thing.' You genuinely never know what you'll end up loving. During my first few days at Conn, some friends convinced me to go hiking in our arboretum (I'd never hiked before in my life) and it turned into one of my favorite memories so far, filled with laughter and good exercise. If I'd stuck to only what felt familiar, I would've missed out on that. So my advice is: say yes more often than not, especially in those first few weeks. That's when you figure out what you actually enjoy, not just what you expected to enjoy.

Favorite class

My favorite class has been Calc C: Integrals and Series. What made it special wasn't just the material, it was the professor. He was so passionate about teaching, genuinely kind, and clearly cared about whether students actually understood the material, not just whether they got through it. I was in his office hours constantly, and they never felt like a chore, we'd have great conversations, and he always made sure things clicked before moving on. I also made some really good friends in that class. It's a great example of how a professor's energy can completely shape how much you enjoy a subject.

Career goals

My ultimate goal is to become a doctor, and my long-term interests lean toward fields like surgical oncology and pediatrics. Right now, I'm also exploring the possibility of getting a Master of Public Health before medical school, since I think it would give me a broader lens on health beyond just clinical care. But regardless of the exact path, medicine is where I'm headed, and everything I'm doing now is building toward that.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal free night is something small and low-key. I love having a few friends over to watch a movie or play games, and then heading out afterward to grab food together, maybe driving somewhere for a late-night ice cream run.

High school or secondary school

Boston Latin School

Favorite spot on campus

My favorite spot on campus is the Mamacoke Conservation Area. It takes a bit of a walk to get there, but the walk itself is part of the appeal, you go through our arboretum and past the train tracks before arriving. Once you're there, you're right by the water, and I love just sitting and looking out at it, watching people boat and fish, and taking in the nature and views.