Hi! I’m Arwa, a sophomore majoring in Computer Science at UCF. It’s really hard to pick a favorite class because I enjoy every class that challenges me to think and solve problems, especially the ones in math. My favorite professors are Tanvir Ahmed and Arup Guha because they both have amazing resources to learn from, and their lectures are full of useful information. I really admire people who put effort into their teaching like that.

I joined the STEM Ambassador program because I honestly love talking about STEM all day. I’m the type of person who’s always ready to help, and I won’t stop explaining until you understand it. I love seeing people learn something new or benefit from something I explained; it completely makes my day. Knowledge is power, and I believe it shouldn’t be kept to yourself. I want to share what I learn so others can grow too. I don’t want there to be a learning gap; I want to give back to the community and ensure that knowledge is shared.

My biggest advice for anyone entering STEM is to never compare yourself to others. Learn from people, get inspired, and take motivation from them, but remember that your path is your own. You have to figure out which advice, study skills, and habits work for you. Everyone is different, and that’s what makes STEM so interesting. You’ll meet a lot of great minds that might make you feel like you’re not good enough—don’t think like that. Just keep learning, keep swimming, and work with others. That’s how you grow.

Outside of school, I spend time learning languages on Duolingo (especially chess, yes Duolingo had chess!). I like playing pickleball or tennis, and when I’m not doing that, I love hanging out with my friends, or going on spontaneous trips with them. I also have a big sweet tooth for chocolate, so I love trying out new chocolate items wherever I go.