Marcelino Alaniz

What is something you're proud of this year?

I'm proud of balancing my robotics engineering co-op, classes, and roles as the Martel College Beer Bike Coordinator, the Martel Service Committee head, and the Electrical Engineering Lead at the Rice Robotics club. This has required a ton of time management to keep my grades up, my supervisor happy, and also have time to do things I enjoy, like going to the gym and spending time with my friends. SSI has been able to assist me with this and ensure I am prepared for it all.

What advice would you give to your freshman self?

I would advise my freshman self to make use of all the resources available to me. There are many avenues of support that have gotten me through my time at Rice so far, including SSI. I would also tell myself that I deserve to be at this school and that, as long as I try my best and use my resources, I can take on any challenge given to me. Some classes have seemed impossible, but with enough effort, I have gotten through them and mastered the content presented.

How have you utilized the SSI office this year? How has SSI been beneficial for you this year?

I have biweekly meetings with my SSI advisor. Typically, we chat about classes, exams coming up, and how I can reach other goals I have at Rice like getting involved with clubs and the community. My advisor is there to ensure that I make the most of my time as an undergraduate at Rice, and it helps to know somebody who knows about all of the resources available at the university. I also like that SSI helps to hold me accountable, even when things get hectic.

Any advice to other students?

My advice for other students would be to spend as much time as possible meeting new people in the commons, at the RMC, the library, etc. College has not just been an academic experience, but it has also allowed me to learn how to live on my own, make amazing friends, and have great conversations.