Adam Vetser

What student organizations and activities are you involved in?

I am involved in Materials Advantage, Hillel, and the Penn State Rubik’s Cube club. I am also a researcher at the Materials Research Institute, Calculus 1 learning assistant, a public speaking mentor, an EMS ambassador, and I was a dialogue facilitator for World in Conversation.

What is the best class you’ve taken at Penn State and why?

Jewish American history was profoundly important to me because it helped me learn about who I am and gave me knowledge to engage in conversations with family members where there had previously been a cultural boundary.

What is the one Penn State activity that everyone should participate in, and why?

My first year I sat out of an Ohio State whiteout game because I wasn’t sure if I would like it. Don’t be like me, I still regret that. In general, have an open mind to try things out knowing you have no obligation to return or even stay if it’s not for you.

What is one piece of advice you would give to prospective students?

Being a good student is all about momentum, and momentum comes from good habits. People say the first week is the least important week but it’s actually the most important because it’s when you set your habits for the semester. I can give you a cliched laundry list of general good habits but here is a useful specific one. If your homework has 10 questions you are not halfway done when you complete 5 of them, you’re halfway done when you figure out how to do all 10. If you’re a procrastinator like me, avoid scrambling by figuring them out two nights before, and then actually solving them the night before.