Rebecca Mao

What do you appreciate most about the Hub and why?

I appreciate that they have endless resources to help you with whatever career or academic needs/goals you have and that they’ll help you each step of the way to achieve them.

What did you want to be when you were a freshman in high school, and how have your goals changed shape since you came to U-M?

When I was a freshman in high school I wanted to go to Art school and become a graphic designer. Throughout high school, I realized that I wanted to have a more stem based career and do art as a hobby. Coming to U-M I’ve been exploring majors like cognitive science and information science and am, currently, interested in being a cognitive researcher on mental deterioration.

What is it about a liberal arts education that you've found the most exciting or valuable?

I’ve found that being in a liberal arts education has allowed me to have a more well-rounded curriculum. For example, I’m taking Japanese language classes and an art history seminar which allows me to explore personal interests.

What advice do you have for students for them to get the most out of their time in LSA and at U-M?

I would advise students to not be afraid to take classes that they are interested in that are not within their major requirements. I’d also advise them to not max out their course credits every semester as it can be easy to get overwhelmed in course work and neglect your own mental health.