Look at a resume for Maryam Shabazz and you’ll find that at UConn she lived the advice she leaves for incoming students.
Join clubs: She was the event coordinator for the Black Muslim Association.
Engage in research: She was a Rowe Scholar and an IDEA Grant recipient.
Study abroad: She did that too, in Florence, Italy.
Seek out opportunities for yourself: She joined Jumpstart and worked as a STEM coach for fellow nursing students.
“College is a unique yet short time in our lives, so it’s really important to make the most of it,” she says.
What’s your major or field of study, and what drew you to it?
My major is nursing, and I was drawn to it because I wanted a career that would make a difference in people’s lives and involve lifelong learning. Nursing offers flexibility across many different specialties, allowing you to gain diverse experiences that can open new doors for you.
Did you have a favorite professor or class?
My favorite professor was Carrie Eaton. She was not only my OB instructor, but also my honors advisor, so I had the opportunity to meet with her often. She is very supportive and passionate about her teaching, which always motivated me to work hard. She consistently puts in the effort to ease stress in any way she can, and it’s clear that she genuinely cares about her students, which I truly appreciate.
What activities were you involved in as a student?
In my sophomore year, I joined Jumpstart, which is a year-long program. I enjoyed this opportunity so much because I was able to help prepare children for kindergarten while working with an amazing group of people who were very passionate about the program. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to gain experience working with children. In my junior year, I started working at the AAC as a STEM coach. I loved being able to help undergraduate nursing students succeed in their courses and guide them to beneficial resources. I also became a Rowe Scholar during my time at UConn, which is a great program that exposes you to professional development opportunities for future health care majors. Through that program, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy, where I took a Mediterranean diet and Italian history course, which I am very grateful for. I was also an IDEA Grant recipient for my research project, which opened doors for me to present at the Big East Conference in New York City. Lastly, I was the event coordinator for the Black Muslim Association and made great memories from that experience as well.
How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?
I believe the UConn nursing program is very well-structured. It sets high expectations, requiring students to balance coursework, simulation labs, and clinical experiences, which can feel overwhelming at first. However, over time, you begin to see how these challenges provide valuable learning opportunities that prepare you for real-world nursing practice. While it may be difficult to retain everything at once, the material is continuously reinforced throughout both coursework and clinical settings, making it more manageable and meaningful.
Any advice for incoming students?
My main advice for incoming students is to not limit yourself. Join clubs, engage in research, study abroad, and seek out opportunities for yourself. College is a unique yet short time in our lives, so it’s really important to make the most of it. I think this will allow you to meet great people and create many memories to look back on later in life.
