Hannah Greenwell is a senior Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology major on a Pre-Opthalmetry track from Spring Hill, TN
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What advice would you offer an incoming freshman in the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment?
My first piece of advice for incoming freshmen at UK M-G CAFE is to be patient with yourself and show yourself grace during your first year. Adjusting to college-level coursework, a more independent lifestyle, and possibly a new city all at once can be overwhelming. I know my freshman year was a steep learning curve, but looking back, I can see how much I've grown as a student, friend, and leader on campus. My second piece of advice is to embrace new experiences and take some risks. Your time at UK will pass more quickly than you expect, and you don't want to look back with regrets or feel like you missed out on opportunities.
Why did you choose your program, and/or how does your program contribute to your career goals?
I chose my program primarily because it is part of the Academic Common Market (ACM), a tuition-saving initiative for students pursuing majors not offered in their home state. Since no universities in Tennessee offer a degree in Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology, I'm able to attend the University of Kentucky as an out-of-state student while paying in-state tuition. Beyond the financial benefits, this program also aligned well with the prerequisites for optometry school, which allowed for manageable course loads throughout my undergraduate journey. In addition to covering most of the required coursework for graduate school, the AMBT program helped distinguish me from other optometry applicants. The program includes an undergraduate research component, which broadened my understanding of the research field and revealed more opportunities within optometry than I initially realized.
Tell us about your favorite professor, advisor, or other member of the UK family that has been especially impactful during your college career. What makes them so special? How have they impacted your time here?
This is my favorite question to answer because it's an easy one. Dr. Hirsch is a professor and advisor I will never forget, thanks to his unwavering passion and commitment to helping others pursue their careers. He has been my advisor and also taught me in several courses, both of which I'm truly grateful for. As a pre-optometry student at UK, it can be challenging to find resources for preparing and applying to optometry school, but Dr. Hirsch has been an incredible support throughout the process. While he is no expert in the field of optometry, he takes time out of his day to find answers to my questions and connect me with people who can assist my journey to becoming an optometrist. Overall, Dr. Hirsch is a truly rare kind of professor, and I'm incredibly grateful for his guidance and expertise.
Hannah's Top 3 Study Spots
- Chocolate Holler: Relatively quiet coffee shop located a few minutes from campus.
- JSB Study Rooms: On campus, nicer rooms, whiteboards.
- Old School Coffee: Great coffee, close to campus, plenty of seating areas.
