Mentors & SI

"I went into Biobootcamp in 2018 as a freshman and it was an excellent opportunity to get a glimpse into what the rest of the semester would be like, and to prepare myself for the curriculum in general. Being able to talk with professors and mentors, gave me a huge leg up in succeeding in bisc 160. As long as you study hard, and don’t procrastinate,160 is not impossible. Good luck to everyone in their first semester, and Hotty Toddy!"

"I was a Bio Bootcamp participant two years ago and a mentor last year; it was not only a fantastic way to get a head start in biology and develop crucial study habits, it is also very fun! Although Bio 160/162 is a difficult course, you can come out with a good grade if you are willing to put in the effort. That includes reviewing your notes daily, attending SI sessions, and going to office hours. Good luck!"

"Bio Bootcamp gave me my first true taste of college Biology. I’m so grateful I participated in the camp because it helped me transition from being a high school student to a college student. Throughout the Bisc 160 course, I was constantly using tips and strategies that I learned in Bio Bootcamp. My advice to incoming freshmen is that you can do anything in college if you are willing to put the work in. Also, make plenty of friends because study groups are a big reason behind my success in Bisc 160."

"I’m a junior pre-med, biology major from Memphis, TN. I attended bootcamp my freshman year and it really helped me prepare for classroom structure and exams. it is a great way to learn how the class is structured and how to develop study habits. Also, you will meet people that you will see in class who you can start studying with. "

"I think Bio Bootcamp is beneficial for getting a feel for college classes like bisc 160, but it is also super important to make friends and start looking into other things you can get involved in at Ole Miss."

"Put yourself on a schedule, study biology everyday, and find the study habits that work best for you! Make very good use of your resources, and do whatever you need to do to feel confident walking into test day. Good luck and Hotty Toddy!"

"I attended biology boot camp last year, and it is one of the best decisions I made as an incoming freshman. I was worried about being able to handle the intensity of 160 due to the rumors. Biology boot camp prepared me for what was to come and aided in my success. You too will also benefit from biology boot camp. Coming in with a positive attitude will make your learning experience enjoyable."

"BISC 160/162 is not impossible! Put in good work every day and don’t wait until the last minute to study— you’ll be way more successful in your studies. Talk to your professors, and don’t be afraid to ask for help! Good luck!"

"Welcome to freshman year. I can’t promise you that you will not be asked to step outside of your comfort zone or that you won’t be mentally challenged. However, I can guarantee you that this program will help you to succeed in not only BISC 160, but also in other coursework and classes as well. Any worries that you may have about BISC 160 will be eased when you come in contact with the study materials and resources given during this program. Best of luck!"

"Starting college is exciting, yet challenging. Start the year off right by focusing on your classes, taking advantage of office hours, and reviewing a little bit of material each day. I am excited to help mentor you and hope to answer any question you might have. Welcome to Ole Miss!"

"Bio Bootcamp was imperative to my success in 160/162. It truly eased my mind the first day of real school. Bootcamp taught me that in college you must enter every class with a mindset of success. Regardless of how hard you have heard the class is. You cannot enter the class with a mindset of defeat because you will be defeated."

"Freshman year is a time of rapid, incredible change, so time management is the most important skill to make sure you have adequate time for all the things that are important to you! BISC 160 will teach you to prioritize studying, but with the right study methods, you’ll still have plenty of time for everything else you want to do—don’t forget that making friends helps you succeed too. Good luck and have fun!"

"Being a mentor last year, I encountered many incoming freshmen who had heard terrible rumors about BISC 160 and came in with the mindset that they were not going to succeed. Bootcamp gives you an extreme advantage over your other classmates because you will have already gotten to know the professor’s teaching style and how the exams will be formatted before the class even starts. The secret to success in BISC 160 is a positive mindset. You can do anything you put your mind to if you are willing to work for it! I promise it will be worth it in the end!"

"Going into freshman year, BISC 160/162 were the classes I was worried the most about; but after learning a few new tricks, I was able to see that finishing these classes successfully wouldn’t be impossible. Figuring out ways to adapt to each professor’s teaching styles, learning how to use all the available tools to prepare for exams, and being able to time-manage were very vital in doing so. Also, the single most important trick is figuring out how to see the light at the end of the tunnel, because even if it gets too hard to see (and trust me it very well might), it's always there!"

"Biology Bootcamp is a great introduction to college life and coursework. Bisc 160 is a shock to many students because it is more difficult than high school classes, so good study habits are necessary. However, with hard work and determination, you can succeed in Bisc 160 and all of your college courses."

"Bio Bootcamp has helped me prepare for many different classes in different ways. It also helped me use the resources around me efficiently. I think the best part of participating in Bio Bootcamp was getting a taste of not only what is expected out of a college class but specifically what is expected out of a science-based college class. It also helped me build connections before I even started college and helped me find a great study group. If you are willing to put forth the effort and time, this bootcamp will help you in the long run. Each individual taking this bootcamp will find out what methods help you with learning and studying and what won’t and I hope these methods will help you for many of your other classes. I hope you have a great experience here at Ole Miss. Good luck and Hotty Toddy!"

"Bio Bootcamp is a great intro into Bisc 160/162 because it helps prepare you for how challenging these classes really are. My advice is to find what study method works best for you and to stay organized. As long as you put in the effort, you can definitely pass these classes with a good grade. Good Luck!"

"Attending Bio Bootcamp was one of the best decisions I made as an incoming freshman. Be organized, study the material gradually, and do not be afraid to ask any questions you may have. BISC 160 is definitely a tough course, but succeeding is more than possible as long as you put forth the effort."

"I feel like Biology bootcamp can help in a lot of different ways especially with the transition from high school to college. Freshman year is a year that runs a lot faster than you’d think with the most important components being time management and organization. I spent the first semester of my college year just learning how to study for BISC 160 making it easier (speaking of study tips, not material) in BISC 162. I feel like Biology Bootcamp can be a “model first semester of college” giving you the impression on ways to study. As long as enough effort is put in, you can definitely ace these classes!! Good Luck!!"

"I truly believe that we have some of the best and brightest people in the world here at Ole Miss, but there are more things worth doing in life than just getting good grades. While grades are probably the most important aspect of college, do not fall into the trap of letting your schooling get in the way of your education in dealing with people and learning how to be your own person."

" Biology Bootcamp was a great opportunity for me to prepare for BISC 160 and to feel confident about tackling all of the material and coursework. I also met some great people during the camp who have become close friends during my time here at Ole Miss. Always remember to work hard and study but do not be afraid to ask for help along the way. Good luck, and Hotty Toddy!"

"School should be your number 1 priority, but there is more to college than going to class and studying. Get involved, make friends, and have fun!"

"Always stay on top of work by reviewing notes, reading the textbook, and asking questions. Bio bootcamp prepared me very well for bio 160 and I made some really great friends when I did bootcamp! Make the most of all of your time and you'll do great too."

"In whatever you do, always make sure to have fun and surround yourself with great friends. Find a routine that works for you and stick to it."

"Succeeding in college is all about time management. You will most likely have to study much more than you did in high school, but the best thing to do is try different study habits until you find what works for you. Its also important to get involved and build relationships with your peers. You will be amazed with the amount of growth you see in yourself!"

"Biology Bootcamp is an awesome introduction and offers a jumpstart in what to expect for your first Biology course at Ole Miss. This is an amazing way in learning how to study, finding study buddeis, and making connections with mentors. My advice is to stay on top of everything presented to you - make sure you throughly know the materal. Please don't feel ashamed to ask questions."

"My best advice to incoming freshmen is to have self-confidence, try your best, and use your resources. The Bio Bootcamp week, the BISC 160 course, and the first year of college will challenge you indefinitely, but if you believe in yourself, give your 100% always, and use all the resources provided to you to succeed, you'll be surprised by what you're capable of achieving."

"I was a mentor for Bio Bootcamp in 2018, and it was an amazing experience. Bootcamp provides a vital support system to students, through relationships with professors and mentors, along with useful tips to surviving your first semester. This experience is not only fun, but it gives students the opportunity to see what Bio 160 will be like, and the study habits that are necessary to excel."

"I absolutely love BISC 160/162. I took these classes two years ago and last year I was an SI Leader for BISC 160/162. This year I am an SI Mentor so I will not be working with BISC 160/162 directly. I love the opportunities that SI provides for students because it is a great way to look at the material in a different way than what is given during lecture. SI is also beneficial for meeting other students in the course and form study groups for studying. I would not have understood the material as well as I did if it was not for SI."

"The transition from high school Biology to college Biology appeared intense as the material became more challenging. The classes are fast paced making it difficult for students to comprehend the material and manage their time. SI supports the student’s educational success by providing them ongoing interactive sessions that assist them in understanding the concept. The weekly meetings prevent students from cramming material during the exam week. From my perspective, organization and time management are the key components to succeed in college life."