Welcome our newest Assistant Academic Advisor, Priyanka Thakker, a recent UNT alum that graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies. She studied a wide range of disciplines, focusing on Biology, Health Promotion, and Speech Science, with minors in Chemistry, Music and Social Science. Priyanka grew up north of Houston in a small town called Spring. She says living in a small town meant they didn't have much to do back then other than go to the skating rink and the malls outside of town. She found her love for opera and vocal performance in her early years and was gratefully able to keep that with her throughout college. In addition to perusing her hobbies through collegeshe was also able to find her passion in Neuroscience. This beautiful discovery has led her to developing many networks within research, the art community, Cognitive Skill Training, and now through advising adults into their futures.

In her free time Priyanka enjoys camping, hiking, karaoke, spending quality time with her cat, binge watching Bob's Burgers, and recently she's even picked up circus art, specifically fire spinning! "There's nothing but time in the world, and I intend to fill it with as much joy as possible!" says Priyanka. Get to know her a little bit here in this brief interview and contact our Advising Office if you need to schedule an appointment with one of our excellent academic advisors.

Q: What do you like most about advising?
A: My favorite thing about advising is my ability to connect and guide people through such tricky, life altering decisions. Remembering how hard these decisions can be, especially when we're unsure of what life has to offer has pulled me into trying my best to make this process and easy as possible for others.

Q: What's one of the biggest mistakes you made as an undergraduate student?
A: I deeply believe that every experience I went through college has molded me to the person I am today. That being said, I do wonder about the outcomes that might have changed if it weren't for some specific, avoidable bumps in the road. I wish I would have withdrawn earlier, rather than trying to push through a semester where life 'happened' and I needed to pick up 3 jobs. I was so deeply pressured with the idea of a 4 year plan, I was made to be terrified of being a "college drop out." Here I am, a late "college drop-out", realizing I didn't have to drag myself through so much suffering.

Q: What's your favorite thing about UNT?
A: My favorite thing about UNT is the various resources that are available to help students be as successful as they can be. They have truly thought of everything, any problem you may have, they have some organization or office that can help you.

Q: If somebody gave you $1000 today, what would you do with it?
A: Pay off a very small portion of my student debt.

Q: What advice would you give to an undergraduate student in the College of Science?
A: GO TO ADVISING. Make connections, talk to your professors and genuinely find with drives you.