Aishnalya K Beharry (she/her)

Major: PPE 

Hometown: Bronx, New York 

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: Coffee chats with Marna! 

Advice for FYES students: If you feel it, chase it!

Olivia Do (she/her/hers)

Major: Computing and Security Technology (Cybersecurity), anticipated minor in Public Health

Hometown: South Philadelphia, PA

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: My first FYES class. Seeing how many other people were in the same boat as me–still figuring things out–and being able to take my time to figure out what I wanted to do, was such a huge switch from before. It was a great relief seeing how many other people in the room also didn’t know what they wanted to do yet.

Advice for FYES students: Go at your own pace. If you ever feel like everyone around you knows what they are doing, and you don’t, know that you are not alone. It is more than okay not to know what you want to do. It is okay to feel lost. After graduating from high school, you most likely have little to no experience, and no one expects you to know what you want to do. College is the time for you to figure that out. Also, keep in mind that lots of people don’t end up working in the field that they got their degree in. Lots of people change their mind about what they want to do after graduating from college. Career switches and major changes are totally normal, and in my mind, healthy. Also, I think that being undecided is great because it gives you the freedom to explore lots of different things instead of being restricted to one field. So as a freshman, take advantage of the time you have to just explore.

Sunnie Lin (she/her)

Major: Electrical Engineering 

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: FYES’s UNIV 101 was the first Drexel class I attended for the start of my freshmen year. I remember stepping into the classroom and seeing so many other students who were also trying to figure out what they wanted to do. This made me feel less alone and motivated me to find the best parts of myself while being part of FYES.

Advice for FYES students: Never be afraid of change. Things will happen and circumstances will occur but embrace what you have and take advantage of the resources you are offered; it is never as scary as it seems. Take the time you need to figure yourself out and never apologize for that. Everyone in this world is learning at their own pace, just like you.

Vedika Mayur (she/her) 

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Hometown: Bridgewater, NJ

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: Working my way through the different activities and figuring out for myself where I belong in relation to my future career.

Advice for FYES students: Be flexible, and know that you still have time to figure out what you want to do in college and not to stress so much about it.

David Mai (he/him)

Major: Finance/MIS 

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: My favorite FYES memory was being the FYES class in my first semester. It was so nice to learn about everything this schools has to offer, and I feel like it taught me so much about the school that I would not have learned myself. 

Advice to FYES students: I think my advice would be to be patient and see what you want to do. I feel like there was a lot of pressure to choose a major and set a path, but I believe that there is time to find what you like a pursue it when you can. Just enjoy and try new things and you will learn about what you want to do and a lot about yourself. 

Feneti Shiferaw (she/her/hers)

Major: Data Science

Hometown: Oromia, Ethiopia

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: My favorite part of the FYES program was the engaging class discussions we had in our FYES classes. They offered a chance to explore ideas deeply, engage with diverse viewpoints, and connect with my peers in a meaningful way. 

Advice to FYES students: My advice to FYES students would be to use all available resources, like the tutoring center and academic advisors to take advantage of what Drexel has to offer.

Renee Amos (she/her/hers)

Major: Custom-Designed Major in Computational Chemistry and Visual Communication

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: Moving into an apartment with my roommates after a freshman year online and experiencing studio classes in person for the first time, as well as attending my first FYES event (Schuylkill River boat ride)!

Advice to FYES students: Take your time in figuring out what you want out of your college experience! Your path through college is unique and is yours to shape. Try not to rush your decision process. Explore the course catalog, test-drive courses in different majors (especially those you weren’t exposed to in high school but think you might like), reflect on what you enjoy and/or what comes naturally to you, and let go of any external pressures influencing your major decision. Choosing a major is also less rigid than it seems, and you’ll likely have room for exploration beyond your freshman year.

Brionne Cloude (she/her)

Major: Public Health

Hometown: Frederick, MD

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: My favorite FYES experience is getting a sense of community within the program. Meeting other FYES students makes you feel like you’re not alone, especially when you’re unsure of your major and it’s your first year in college.

Advice to FYES students: It’s okay to take your time to figure things out for yourself. Starting college is a big change and it takes time to fully adjust. You shouldn’t feel like you need to decide on your major right away. Take this opportunity to take the classes you think you might be interested in and go from there. Chances are you’ll find something you love.

Serah Coskun (she/her/hers)

Major: Undeclared, exploring Biological Sciences

Hometown: Voorhees, NJ

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: My favorite memory with FYES is when we went to the Haunted Penitentiary during Halloween and when we had a game night on a Friday and just played games and really got to know one another.

Advice to FYES students: My advice to FYES students would be to really take advantage of what Drexel has to offer. There are a lot of great programs and tutoring centers they offer which can really benefit you overall. I would also advise FYES students to take this time to explore different majors and to see what really fits them. Do not hold back on asking questions and try to step out of your safe bubble occasionally and try something different.

Lillian Fenzil (she/her)

Major: Custom Designed Major

Hometown: Collegeville, PA

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: Taking a variety of classes to find certain elements that I love in order to create my major!

Advice to FYES students: Don’t feel pressured to figure out what you want to do yet. Sometimes it’s discouraging to watch everyone around you seem so certain on the path they’re taking while it feels like you are moving through school aimlessly. Use this time to explore everything and anything through classes, extracurriculars, and events to find what you enjoy the most. Don’t allow the overwhelming stress of finding a major drag you down from savoring your college experience.

Elena Gaver (she/her/hers)

Major: Sociology

Hometown: Born in Kansk, Russia but raised in New Orleans, LA

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: Getting to meet the diverse student body within the Drexel community. I have made some great friends from all over.

Advice for FYES students: Take the time to really allow yourself to discover what makes you happy, whether that be academically or not, find something that makes you happy. Also, stay on top of your work, whether you like the class or not, you might always learn something new that might be an inspiration for you.

Jyoti Gupta

Hometown: Tyson’s Corner, Virginia

Hobbies: Fencing, dancing, writing

Future major, if chosen: Business Analytics and Finance

What made you choose Drexel? Co-Op and the FYES program

What made you choose FYES? I was unsure of my major and I wanted the ability to experience different majors without making a commitment.

Forrest Harding (he/him/his)

Major: Management Information Systems

Hometown: West Deptford, NJ

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: My favorite FYES experience would have to be the Phillies game the first week of my first year. It was a fun and was a great experience to interact with and connect with some of the peer mentors. Getting to talk with peer mentors in a much more open environment really eased any nerves I had going into the new school year.

Advice to FYES students: Ask questions. You won’t know everything when you come in your first year. That’s why you’re in the FYES program. Ask everyone around you what interested them about their major or career fields. Figure out if anything they say interests you and try it out. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try a new class or switch up your interests. FYES is a place to try new things with very little pressure on you. Everyone in FYES wants you to find what interests you the most, and the advisors and peer mentors are willing to help you with anything.

Jafaru Levere

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Hobbies: Watching Standup comedy YouTube shorts, binge watching critically acclaimed television, journaling, dancing

Future major, if chosen: Custom-Designed Major - Administrative Mental Health Intervention

What made you choose Drexel? I actually chose Drexel for First Year Exploratory Studies and the Custom Designed program. I was aware of my strengths academically, but nebulous on what direction I wanted to go in considering what Drexel had to offer. I was allured by the opportunity to both explore and hone my academic interests at the same time. It helped that I could stay close to home and that my twin also goes here (hi Ajani).

What made you choose FYES? For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to take a stake in creating accessible mental health resources. But with such a broad scope, I was lost on how to channel my interests into a singular major. So, I self-directed my learning through the First Year Exploratory Studies program, granting myself the time and academic mobility to shape how I wish to serve this ambition. Doing so has given me critical knowledge of fields like public health and sociology I may have never otherwise explored to learn about what role I can play in addressing the systemic ramifications of mental health inequity, particularly within black communities.

Neha Menon

Hometown: North Brunswick, New Jersey

Hobbies: Dancing, singing, reading novels, and traveling

Future major, if chosen: Public Health

What made you choose Drexel? I chose Drexel University because I was interested in the Co-Op program that integrated with my chosen major. I was also interested in the research opportunities that were available at Drexel.

What made you choose FYES? The FYES Program helped me align my interests and passions together to pursue my major and helped me find a major that was truly right for me.

McKayla Procopio

Major: Biological Sciences, minoring in astrophysics

Hometown: Cherry Hill, NJ

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: One of my favorite memories is going to the Franklin Institute during Welcome Week. I was with a small group of new friends, and it was a unique way to hang out and get to know each other!

Advice to FYES students: Being on the fence about what you want to study can be frightening at times, but that’s completely okay! The FYES mentors are always here to listen. If you ever want to bounce major or career ideas off of us or just need someone who will listen, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Adriana Vasquez (she/her)

Major: Computer Science

Hometown: Woodbridge, VA

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience: My favorite FYE experience was when the program went to the Harry Potter Experience at the Franklin Institute. I made a lot of new friends through the trip as we bonded over the sets and costumes of a movie series we all love.

Advice to FYES students: My best advice would be to not let others’ opinions stop you from trying something new. It doesn’t matter what others think if you are having fun and breaking out of your comfort zone. So, try the silent disco, go to the urban karaoke — just have fun and make the most out of your college experience.

Ella Weinstein

Hometown: Fort Lee, NJ

Hobbies: Tennis, reading, hanging with friends, exploring and eating!

Future major, if chosen: Behavioral Economics, Business, and Organizations

What made you choose Drexel?
Co-op and the FYES Program!

What made you choose FYES?
In high school, I never truly felt like I had the chance to explore potential career interests outside of the core curriculum. I’m someone who likes to try everything before making commitments, so finding out about the FYES Program gave me the perfect opportunity to do just that before fully declaring my major.