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Lauren Longobardi calls second year 鈥渢he make it or break it鈥� year. For her, it鈥檚 when school became intense and expectations were ratcheted up. At the same time, it鈥檚 when she discovered that she was in her element studying chemistry.

鈥淕oing from high school to university was not as hard for me,鈥� she muses. 鈥淚n first year, everyone鈥檚 helping you along; there are steps to show you where you are going. But second year鈥檚 when you take charge of your own education ... second year is definitely an exercise in time management.鈥�

The professors helped create a chemical reaction: turning an interest into a passion. 鈥淚 love the professors in the chemistry department; I really do. They go above and beyond to make sure you succeed.鈥�

A stellar student, Ms. Longobardi has been well supported during her undergraduate years. She came to H漫画 on a Chancellor鈥檚 entrance scholarship and has made the dean鈥檚 list every year. As well, her amazing aptitude for chemistry has been recognized with the CRC Press Freshman Achievement Award in first year, the Knop Prize in Chemistry in second year and the Canadian Society for Chemistry Silver Medal in third year.

But it鈥檚 not all study, study, study for Ms. Longobardi. From Fall River, she lived in residence, Sherriff Hall, for her first and second years and recommends it, even for Nova Scotian students who鈥檝e grown up close by. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l meet the best friends you鈥檒l ever have, living in residence,鈥� she says. She keeps active by taking classes with the Dal Dance Society and volunteers, most recently as a Sparks leader with Girl Guides of Canada.

Having written her last exam at Dal, it鈥檚 a strange time in her life, as she bids goodbye to close friends as they disperse to take up jobs, travel or embark on graduate degrees. She herself is preparing to start her PhD at the University of Toronto.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe it鈥檚 over,鈥� says the 21-year-old aspiring professor. 鈥淭hose four years flew by.鈥�