Danielle Slomko (SEBS ’21), Then & Now

In 2017, Danielle Slomko (SEBS’21), biochemistry major, began her Rutgers journey as a SEBS first-year student. Along with five of her peers, Danielle was photographed for the Fall 2017 issue of Explorations, the SEBS alumni magazine.

Four years later, Danielle was one of approximately 670 to graduate in the SEBS Class of 2021. We caught up with her on the lawns of Passion Puddle in May, as she and several classmates paid a scheduled in-person visit to the Cook campus for individual graduation pictures ahead of the SEBS Convocation on May 14.

A newly minted Rutgers alumna, Danielle is currently applying to medical school and doctoral programs, and seeking a position as a medical assistant in order to gain valuable clinical experience before starting her graduate medical studies. She answered a few questions as a follow-up to her first-year interview, and dished out some pretty sound advice to newcomers as a veteran of college life, having thrived in her four years at SEBS.

Your biggest worry in 2017 was the first exam in all of your classes. How did they go?
My first exams actually went pretty well but they were definitely nerve-racking. I found the key was to always dress comfortably (I wear pajama pants, kind of my good luck charm). The most nerve-racking part is actually waiting for the exam results and not the exam itself.

Did you join the yoga club?
I did not join the yoga club. Instead, I ended up joining the book club at Rutgers. I found that I missed reading a novel since most classes in STEM don’t require that type of reading. It was a much-needed fun break from textbook chapters. 

Did you achieve your first-year goal?
Yes, I was able to make Rutgers feel like a second home. My first year, I made a ton of great friends. In my sophomore year, I ended up joining a research lab where the members (both undergraduates and graduate students, as well as post-docs) became my second family and they provided tons of support, advice, and education in toxicology-based research.

Armed with the knowledge you now have as a SEBS graduate, what advice would you offer a first-year student?
I would advise freshmen to take the advice of others, but remember that we all study and learn in our own individual ways. What works for me may not work for you, but it could always inspire you.

What was the biggest lesson you learned here at SEBS?
The biggest lesson I learned was to make friends that you enjoy and who are also amazing to study with and bounce ideas off of.

Any general advice for new students?
My overall advice is that sometimes it is going to be and feel like a lot, but it is all very much worth it because you will make amazing memories and create wonderful friendships along the way.