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Vanessa O.

Tour Guides and Grit Guide at University of Maryland, Baltimore County

She/her/hers

Class of 2027

Hometown: Silver Spring, MD

Major: Public Health

Secondary Major: Pre-Dental Hygiene Track


During my first semester, I wish I would have known...

that every student is just as willing as you are to make new friends. Build courage and sit next to someone or start a conversation. Friends don't always come to you, you have to go find them too.

Favorite Class or Professor and Why

Fall semester of 2023, I took PBHL 100 with Professor Katie Birger. I love her so much. She makes her class entertaining and all of her exams are open notes. She also is willing to go past her office hours time to explain anything you're confused about. This is great to be a part of especially if you're an incoming freshman.

My advice to prospective students...

Use Google Calendar to schedule all your assignments, exams, quizzes, etc., and also schedule the fun things you have planned ex. going home for the weekend, so you have something fun to look forward to!

Favorite Spot on Campus

My favorite spot on campus is the main floor of the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building. It has great lounge areas to study and I like having classes in this building because it has nice chairs and tables and TV screens everywhere so you can see the board from wherever you sit.

I'm passionate about...

Bible Study Worship Leader playing the guitar Pleasure Reading Cooking Fellowship
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