Q&A with Abby Long
Why did you choose to attend the University of Mississippi?
I toured a couple of colleges during my junior and senior years of high school, but none of them gave me the same feeling of being at home as Ole Miss. Combine that with the beauty of the campus and I was sold! What also helped me choose Ole Miss was how friendly and willing to help everyone I met in Oxford and at the university was, which made Ole Miss feel like a small town where you could always find a friend.
I toured a couple of colleges during my junior and senior years of high school, but none of them gave me the same feeling of being at home as Ole Miss. Combine that with the beauty of the campus and I was sold! What also helped me choose Ole Miss was how friendly and willing to help everyone I met in Oxford and at the university was, which made Ole Miss feel like a small town where you could always find a friend.
What would you tell a high school student about your major? What is most important for them to know if they are interested in pursuing that field of study?
My major, biology, is very fascinating and keeps me thinking. If you like learning about the life sciences and are willing to put in the work, this is likely the degree for you! Most importantly, make sure you go to class and learn how to take good notes - this will be lifesaver when exams come around.
My major, biology, is very fascinating and keeps me thinking. If you like learning about the life sciences and are willing to put in the work, this is likely the degree for you! Most importantly, make sure you go to class and learn how to take good notes - this will be lifesaver when exams come around.
Why is your department a special place?
There are so many opportunities to get involved within the biology department and resources to help out students. For example, the department offers peer mentoring programs where former successful course students are given a group of students currently in a biology class to help with classwork and answer any questions a member of their group may ask about course material.
There are so many opportunities to get involved within the biology department and resources to help out students. For example, the department offers peer mentoring programs where former successful course students are given a group of students currently in a biology class to help with classwork and answer any questions a member of their group may ask about course material.
What professor or class has had the most impact on you?
Dr. Leary, who taught my Bisc 162 class, was so good at explaining the material and made sure we felt welcome to ask questions if we were confused. This was especially helpful after the ice storm, and he was always more than willing to go over a topic if anyone didn't understand it. He made me realize that it is perfectly normal not to understand the material right away and treated us in such a way that made it feel like we could understand the material, no matter how difficult it seemed.
Dr. Leary, who taught my Bisc 162 class, was so good at explaining the material and made sure we felt welcome to ask questions if we were confused. This was especially helpful after the ice storm, and he was always more than willing to go over a topic if anyone didn't understand it. He made me realize that it is perfectly normal not to understand the material right away and treated us in such a way that made it feel like we could understand the material, no matter how difficult it seemed.
What do you hope to do after graduation? What are your career goals/plans?
After graduation, I would like to go to medical school and become a doctor. I'm not sure what I want to specialize in yet, but hopefully, I’ll be able to own a clinic one day or get involved in medical research.
After graduation, I would like to go to medical school and become a doctor. I'm not sure what I want to specialize in yet, but hopefully, I’ll be able to own a clinic one day or get involved in medical research.
What is one thing you wish you knew as an incoming freshman that you’d tell your past self (about the general college experience)?
Learn time management! College is already an adjustment, and you don’t want to be starting assignments a few hours before they’re due because you forgot to budget time for them (ask me how I know). This also helps tremendously with figuring out how much time you have in the day and whether or not you would like to use that time to get more involved, and in what (such as something requiring more time commitment vs. less time commitment).
Learn time management! College is already an adjustment, and you don’t want to be starting assignments a few hours before they’re due because you forgot to budget time for them (ask me how I know). This also helps tremendously with figuring out how much time you have in the day and whether or not you would like to use that time to get more involved, and in what (such as something requiring more time commitment vs. less time commitment).
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