Month: March 2025

The Proactive vs. Reactive Process: Beginning Your Research Journey

By Krithika Santhanam, Peer Research Ambassador

Picture of Jonathan the Husky in the UConn Storrs library with text: "Student Research Blog: The Proactive vs. Reactive Process: Beginning Your Research Journey, By PRA Krithika." with link - https://ugradresearch.uconn.edu/2025/03/20/proactive-reactive/.Are you interested in getting involved with research but have no idea where to begin? Have you applied to programs and are unsure where to go from here? Are you interested in finding a different research opportunity that aligns with your WHY? Then you are definitely in the right place! Welcome to a crash course on the proactive versus reactive processes that students tend to take when finding a research opportunity that truly aligns with their passions. Continue reading

Goals and Growth: Reflections of a Graduating Peer Research Ambassador

By Anabelle Bergstrom, Peer Research Ambassador

Picture of the UConn Sign with bright yellow and red flowers below. Text: "Student Research Blog, Goals and Growth: Reflections of a Graduating Peer Research Ambassador, By PRA Anabelle"As I write this blog article, I cannot believe I am coming to the end of my undergraduate career. I also cannot believe that I will be wrapping up my time as a Peer Research Ambassador, a position I have held since the summer between my freshman and sophomore years. This position in the Office of Undergraduate Research has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. My favorite part has been meeting students who are as interested in research as I am and helping them find their research passion. Over the past (almost) four years, I have learned so much that you may find useful as you continue to pursue your own undergraduate research goals. Continue reading

Balancing Research and Life: A Crash Course to Undergraduate Success

By Malak Nechnach, Peer Research Ambassador

Student Research Blog - Balancing Research and Life: A Crash Course to Undergraduate Success, By PRA Malak with link https://ugradresearch.uconn.edu/2025/03/03/balancing-research/Undergraduate research is an amazing experience that enriches a student’s academic journey, providing opportunities to deepen knowledge, develop critical thinking skills and gain hands-on experience in a chosen field. However balancing research commitments with academic coursework and other commitments can be very challenging. Effective time management, setting clear priorities and fostering a supportive environment is essential for maintaining academic excellence while engaging in research.

Last semester proved to be very difficult for me to balance research with my other commitments. I realized I had to sacrifice something to be able to accommodate to my schedule, and usually that sacrifice was time and mental health. Although I loved my lab, I was not able to manage my time successfully and quickly felt drained in work. I believe this is an issue that a lot of undergraduate’s encounters once they start dedicating six, ten to twelve hours a week to research, which is why I hope my advice will help! Continue reading