Seeing myself as a student and scholar

UNC Bears Seeing myself as a student and scholar

    Academic identity, or seeing ourselves as scholars in a college, is an adjustment. If you feel a little out of place, that is normal.

    How to tackle challenges in class

    You are a scholar now, Bear. You will face new challenges and ideas in your classes, and that is part of being a student and scholar. Whenever you feel lost as a student, answer these questions to ground yourself as a scholar:

    Goals

    Answer these questions on goals:

    1. Where would you like to be on a scale of 1-10? Think about the project or knowledge... how much do you want to understand this topic or how much effort do you want to put into the assignment?
    2. How could you say your goal in a few words?

    Options and obstacles

    Answer these questions on options and obstacles:

    1. What are your options?
      1. What has worked in the past? These are the Bright Spots to keep doing.
    2. What steps could you take first, next, and after?
      1. Think in the next hour, day, week, and month that build up to semester and yearly goals.

    Will and way forward

    Answer these questions on will and way forward:

    1. How will you do that?
    2. When will you do that?
    3. What type of accountability works for you? (setting more meetings with your advisor or mentor can help with accountability)

    Share your knowledge with campus

    Many of your classes will revolve around traditional papers and exams because those are at the heart of scholarship. Yet you don't have to limit your own learning and sharing. Scholars use posters, blogs, videos, social media, and other projects to share what they know: you can do that too as a form of studying and to share what you learned with your friends, family, and more.

    Check out these options for sharing what you've learned:

    Research Day posters

    We have support and recognition for your research and creative projects. Your community wants to hear what you are learning and we can pair you with a mentor through the Office of Undergraduate Research's Research Mentorship Program. Information about the program can be found on the Office of Undergraduate Research's Undergraduate Students Links to an external site. website.

    Every spring, the Division for Undergraduate Academic Engagement hosts Research Day Links to an external site., which is a day to celebrate what you are working on as students. You can even win awards that are great for resumes and to show your family what you are accomplishing.

    If you walk through the basement of the library or through the halls of Ross, you will see past posters from students.

    Research assistants

    Your professors are probably working on research projects, and many of them get help from their students. You can ask them what types of research they have done and how they get creative in sharing that knowledge. You might even find opportunities to help with their next project.

    Check out this "UNC Research" playlist Links to an external site. on YouTube, created by UNC for videos all about research on campus.

    Creative sharing

    If you aren't sure about giving a full presentation or being a research assistant, that is okay. You can share your knowledge in whatever way inspires you. You could start a blog, use art, or record a podcast to show how much you are learning and growing here.

    Try searching for keywords or hashtags on any social media platform to find inspiration:

    #UndergradResearch, #StudentProject, #ArtistResearch, #UNCBears, #UNCOSuccess

     Join student organizations

    The McNair Scholars Program Links to an external site.is designed to provide you with effective preparation for graduate-level study through research and scholarly activities, summer internships, seminars and workshops, mentoring, and assistance with graduate school admission processes. As a McNair, you will design research topics with mentorship. Check out the projects completed by the 2021-2022 cohort Links to an external site. or explore past projects from current and previous cohorts Links to an external site.!

    The Honors Program Links to an external site. lets you develop your own theme of exploration and research path. They can be applied or more creative because you can apply for honors in any major. 

    Many programs have a field or major-specific organization you can join to learn and share your knowledge with your peers. Ask your advisor and stop by your department office to find out what societies or organizations you could join.

    Bonus materials

    Check out these additional resources and ways to apply this content to your life:

    Additional resources

    Our UNC Libraries Archives & Special Collections Links to an external site. is a great place to find your sense of Bear scholarship by learning our history. You can see work and photographs from the scholars and students who came before you.

    You can also check out past student panels and talks from the UNC Community in our Scholarship and Creative Works @ Digital UNC. Links to an external site. Search for student research or browse the webinar library.

    Challenge

    Use YouTube, TikTok, or another site to search for people in your major or interest area (they don't need to be UNC folks). See what they are talking about and how they are creating content related to your classes. Bonus points if you reach out and ask them questions or get to know them!