Student Spotlight: Anjali Gupta
Major: Chemistry
Oh hey! My name is Anjali Gupta, and I am from Zionsville, Indiana. I am majoring in Chemistry, with minors in Global Studies, Music, and Law and Society.
You could say I’ve taken an untraditional path regarding my major. I was a Chemistry Education major for the first two years of college until I realized teaching wasn’t the best fit for me. My passion lies in supporting and advocating for children, not classroom instruction. So, I dropped the education major, stuck with chemistry, and now I’m leaning towards family/juvenile law! I know it sounds unusual to be a STEM major with this aspiration, but this combination is deeply supported by the Honors College! Interdisciplinary Academics happens to be one of the college’s pillars, so I have learned to apply problem-solving and analytical skills from my chemistry major to the logical reasoning side of law. All in all, I believe in the pursuit of knowledge that aligns with your passions, not necessarily what is deemed pertinent to your career. Every discipline overlaps, and Honors supports that!
I was also drawn to the Honors College because of its Undergraduate Research pillar. I worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in educational policy for two years. Even though I’ve stepped away from education as a major, that experience has developed my passion for policy, which I’ll carry with me forever.
Believe it or not, my favorite part of being an honors student is not the academics but the community! I am constantly surrounded by driven and passionate people who motivate and enrich me. The diversity of thought is something I never expected but appreciate more than ever. Everyone comes from different places and brings different perspectives to the table. After my first year, I already became more well-rounded, open-minded, and aware. I partly owe that to Purdue's Big Ten atmosphere, but also to the Honors community.
Many assume that honors students don’t have time for anything but school, but that’s far from the truth. Aside from Honors Ambassadors, I serve as a chairperson for Purdue University Dance Marathon (PUDM). I have also been a Teaching Assistant and conducted undergraduate research. I’ve committed myself to an important cause and an exciting new community through PUDM. And I’ve practiced my laboratory skills as a TA. Honors has never inhibited my ability to pursue other activities. In fact, I may join more!
One of the best things about Purdue is the opportunity it provides. Last summer, I studied away in Cambodia. I toured the country, learning about the customs, religious influence, art, and of course, the food. I also spent two weeks teaching in an international school. I planned my lessons and labs while navigating teaching students of varying English proficiency. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for that opportunity! Additionally, I studied away in New Orleans to study jazz through Honors last spring break. We watched performances in various settings, from Royal Street to jazz clubs, viewed the jazz archives at Tulane, and took a cooking class. A couple of classmates and I even performed in a restaurant! That’s pretty unique to Honors.
To prospective students – Honors isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. I encourage you to research the program and see how Honors courses fit into your curriculum. It's not an extra load - just a different one! Additionally, Honors will give you opportunities to explore many passions. People research so many topics, from sports to music. College is a time to thrive and tap into what makes you "you!" And Honors is a place where it's cool to do that.