Dear Students,Welcome to the start of a new year in the College of Natural Sciences! As happens at the start of every new year, there is a lot happening at once. So I'll focus on four key ideas:
- As a chemist, one of the most important lessons I've learned is: Safety first.I encourage you all to keep safety at the front of your minds. Whether you are on campus or learning remotely, your part matters as we Protect Texas Together.
- Keep an eye out for exciting opportunities. Each week, my email will have opportunities for CNS students. This week is no exception, as it includes some exciting research opportunities coming up in the next few days (see below).
- Treat being a CNS student like a job. Show up, pay attention, be respectful, be curious, and give it your all. Whether your course is online or in person, whether you are here in Austin or somewhere else around the world, stay engaged.
- Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. Everyone has things that come up in their lives that get in the way of getting things done. There is obviously a great deal happening right now, and that makes this piece of advice more important than ever. If you hit a road block, reach out to your professors, reach out to your advisor, reach out to mentors, reach out to me. The College is full of faculty, staff, and other students who are looking to help you succeed in your learning.
So prioritize safety, identify opportunities, commit to learning and ask for help. Those are the four very important ways to resolve to get the most out of your experience as a Texas Science student this semester – and in future semesters, too.
Best,
Dr. Vanden Bout
P.S. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram: @StudentDeanCNS
Joke: If you're drowning in bureaucratic paperwork, it's probably because someone tried to optimize for forms over function.
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