Summer student balances class, career, community and continent-hopping

Isadora Collins is seizing every opportunity Summer Term has to offer. Between a full-time internship, an online course, international travel and volunteer work, she’s packing her summer with experiences that blend learning, career growth and fun.

A rising senior, she’s double majoring in chemistry and molecular and cell biology, with a certificate in leadership. Isadora enrolled in Genetics 466 — an accelerated, eight-week online course — while working full time at Promega Corporation in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Add in volunteering and a family trip to Morocco and Spain, and her summer is as full as it is fulfilling.

“It’s definitely going to be a learning curve of figuring out how to manage my time,” Isadora said. “But I like having a full schedule.”

From classroom to cutting-edge lab

To keep pace with lectures, discussion posts and assignments, Isadora is using a strategy that has worked for her before: breaking down the course into daily, manageable parts.

“I’ll figure out how many lectures and activities I need to do in each unit and divide them up evenly before the exam,” she explained. “That way I don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed.”

Learning beyond the classroom

Isadora’s summer also includes joining Badger Volunteers, where students spend seven weeks partnering with local organizations in areas like sustainability, public health and education.

Later in the season, she’ll be traveling abroad with her family — fitting in personal exploration alongside professional and academic growth.

Even with her packed schedule, Isadora says summer learning is worth it. Taking a course like Genetics 466 now frees up time during the academic year for other things, such as spending time in the lab, working or simply unwinding with friends.

“Those three credits really do mean a lot in terms of how many hours of free time you have as a college student,” she said.

Looking ahead

After graduation, Isadora plans to take a gap year to work in a lab or R&D setting before pursuing a PhD in biochemistry or chemistry. This summer’s experience, she says, will help her evaluate whether genetics might be the track she wants to follow long-term.

“Taking genetics [this summer] will help me understand whether or not this is a more interesting track for me because I know that I’m interested in the general topics,” she said.

Her biggest advice for fellow students considering Summer Term courses?

“Talk to people who are in a very similar situation to you and see what they thought of it,” she said. “That definitely influenced the classes I chose to take.”

From lab work to lectures, volunteering to vacation, Isadora is making the most of her summer — and building a strong foundation for her future.