Nicholas Dee Petersen
Bachelor of Science, Microbiology
Profile
Briefly tell us about yourself (e.g. hometown, family, hobbies, favorite BYU courses, intended profession)
I was born and raised in Portland Oregon, with four older siblings. I was involved in competitive gymnastics for twelve years, and due to that background I was able be a member of the BYU Dunk Team for the past three years. I have been accepted to the University of Utah School of Dentistry and will be attending starting Fall of 2021.
Who were your greatest supporters while earning this degree?
My greatest supporters were my wife and both of my parents. They regularly reminded me of the incredible potential that I had, and how I could always achieve greater and better things through pushing myself during challenges and difficult semesters.
What advice do you have for incoming freshmen at BYU?
The best lesson I learned at BYU was the need to keep a daily planner. At the beginning of every semester I used a planner to write down every assignment, quiz, and exam that I had for the whole semester on the day it was to be due. Then, at the end of each week I would plan out my schedule for the following week, including work, practice, lab work, specific hours for doing homework, and specific hours for studying (and which course I would be studying during those hours). Not only did this push me to stay focused throughout every day, it allowed me to have a social life without me being incredibly stressed or distracted by school work.
How has your experience at BYU prepared you for the rest of your life?
BYU challenged me to be an exceptional and above average student. Attending this university prepared me incredibly well to not just apply to dental schools, but to be an applicant that stood out among others, and I will be forever grateful for the classes I took and the degree I earned that helped me on my path to becoming a dentist.