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Jainan Sankalia

Junior from Mesquite, Texas (I grew up in Carrollton, Texas)
Arts and technology

Do you live on campus? If yes, what do you like about living on your own?
Yes, and I like the freedom to do whatever I want or need to do whenever I want or need to do it.

List some of the clubs or organizations you are involved in at UT Dallas?
Orientation Team Mentor, First-Year Leader and the Freshman Convocation Planning Committee.

List some of your hobbies.
Videogames - both making them and playing them. I also enjoy music, watching movies, browsing the Internet and hanging out with friends at random hours of the night.

List something unique about yourself.
I can do magic tricks - specifically card magic.

Why did you decide to become a First-Year Leader?
It was largely a request by my advisors and also it gives me a chance to get a closer relationship with freshmen in the arts and technology program.

What advice do you have for the freshmen class coming into UT Dallas?
Live for relationships, not for events. Have you ever gone somewhere that you thought would be fun, but because of someone who did or did not come it wasn’t as great as you expected? And have you ever gone to do something mundane, but because of a friend it was a blast?

What do you wish you did during your freshman year that you didn’t?
I enjoyed my freshman year regardless of what I did or did not do.

What do you like about UT Dallas?
The community feel of a smaller, growing campus. For example, we have feral cats on campus that the students take care of and feed. I also like the community feel of the arts and technology program - everyone knows everyone, both students and teachers. Also, I love how the administration tries to include students as much as possible in making decisions.

Why did you decide to attend UT Dallas?
The arts and technology program interested me. Also, observing how professionally handled Fiesta Night (a recruiting event) was sold me.

What has been your favorite/best UT Dallas experience so far?
There hasn’t been one best. It’s the mix of a lot of great experiences.

What did you learn about college life that you didn’t know before?
Residual cooking time: even if a cookie doesn’t look done, take it out and as it cools it will solidify. If you cook it too long, then it will turn into a solid rock when it cools.

What do you like to do to unwind after class?
Hang out in the Orientation Team Mentor office with my fellow Orientation Team Mentors.