Ask Pamela Moya about her memories as a University of Iowa student, and she might mention the time a figurative light switch was flipped—and the time the lights literally went out.

The figurative moment happened during Moya’s campus tour during her senior year of high school. When she returned home to Davenport, Iowa, she knew in her heart that the University of Iowa was where she belonged.

“The community here felt very welcoming,” says Moya, who will graduate with the Class of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in computer science and engineering. “After four years here, I can say with confidence that my intuition was right. If you are looking for a close-knit, family-like community, I assure you Iowa is for you, too.”

The literal light-bulb incident involved one too many hair dryers; the fuses at Burge Hall never stood a chance.

“I was getting ready for bed when I realized my hair was still wet from an earlier shower,” Moya says. “I plugged my hair dryer into the wall outlet, turned it on, and one second later, I was standing in the dark. I stepped out into the hallway, where I saw my friend a few doors down holding a hair dryer. We connected the dots and burst out laughing. What were the odds of that happening? With maintenance on their way, we finished drying our hair under the hand dryer in the bathroom. Reminiscing on it now still puts a smile on my face.”

Moya will walk off the commencement stage with more than a degree. “I will take with me the relationships I’ve made during these last four years,” says Moya, who will travel abroad and spend time with family before starting a job as a systems engineer for Northrop Grumman in Chicago. “I’m fortunate that all the paths that I have taken and all the paths that my friends have taken eventually intersected and led us all here. I wouldn’t have these special friendships and everlasting memories if I’d been elsewhere.”

What are some of your earliest memories on campus?

Attending football games at Kinnick. All the student traditions in that stadium make for an entertaining time: singing AC/DC’s “Back in Black,” the Panchero’s burrito lift, and the unforgettable Hawkeye Wave.

What surprised you most about the University of Iowa?

I was pleasantly surprised that I met the people who became my best friends during my first year living in the dorms. I was living on a Living Learning Community (LLC) floor in Burge, called People in Engineering. If I hadn’t signed up for this LLC, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I am forever thankful to my past self for following through with this decision. Back then, I couldn’t have known how much of an impact these girls would have on me years later.

The COVID-19 pandemic was part of your academic journey. What helped you succeed during such uncertain times?

The pandemic heavily influenced my study routine. One specific adjustment I made was attending virtual classes in any location besides my dorm room. I found that separating my studies from the space where I relax helped me succeed during those unprecedented times. A few of my favorite study spaces include the commons in Currier, the lounges at the end of each floor in Stanley, the upstairs cafe in Prairie Lights, and Tru Coffee.

I also found solace in my part-time job working for Information Technology Services in the Learning Spaces Technology department, which provides tech services for various campus spaces. Keeping myself busy outside of the classroom allowed me to explore new places on campus that I wouldn’t have known existed. I recommend visiting the library in Art Building West, any current exhibits in Visual Arts Building, and the downstairs lounge in Voxman.

What’s the key to overcoming challenges as a college student?

One specific example comes from the semester where classes were held in-person again. It was difficult finding a group of friends within my major. During virtual learning, oftentimes the camera was optional, so it was daunting to see all of these “new” faces that I vaguely remembered pre-pandemic. I slowly came out of my shell because most of my classes required group projects or collaborations. I befriended a classmate whom I recognized from my first coding class freshman year, and I asked if he wanted to be my lab partner. It was this simple reintroduction that led me to meeting my dearest friends through lab. I strongly suggest becoming friends with students in your major—you will form bonds that you won’t find elsewhere. You’ll suffer through classes, laugh about silly mistakes, and reminisce together.

What is the biggest take-away from your time here?

Here at Iowa, your peers want you to succeed. Your professors are there to support you, your advisors are there to guide you, and your friends are there to ground you. It’s a cliché, yet true, saying: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ranging from academics to mental health, asking for help is that extra step forward that will lead you to where you are meant to be.