Daniel Weitzmon
Daniel may be a freshman, but already he knows what he wants to study in graduate school and where he wants to study it—astrophysics at the University of Wisconsin. To get there, he plans to major in both math and physics. That would be an intimidating prospect for most students, but not Daniel. “I love math,” he says. “Some students like to work out problems visually or on paper; I like to do it in my head. It’s more fun. And I like to figure out shortcuts and alternative ways to get to the answer.” He finds physics equally interesting.
Daniel describes himself as a self-motivated student. With high scores on his calculus Advanced Placement test, he can move right into his major, without needing to take any prerequisites. Word has already spread about his math prowess—other students have asked him to be their tutor.
Academics are not Daniel’s only interest. He is an avid computer-game player, card player, and pool player. Come spring, you’ll find him with mitt in hand, playing baseball. He likes to listen to music, both alternative and rock.
Being at Maharishi University of Management is a big change for Daniel in some ways. For example, there were 750 students in his graduating class at Naperville North High School in the Chicago suburbs. “I recognized about half of my classmates, but only knew a fourth by name,” he says. “Having a smaller class is really nice.” Daniel also likes the block system at M.U.M. and having the freedom to focus on one course at a time.
Being at a university where everyone practices the Transcendental Meditation technique is another big change from high school. Daniel meditated regularly at home, but not many of his friends knew about it. “It was hard to talk about outside my family. At M.U.M., all the students have a shared common experience. Here I’m more open, I’m more myself. It’s easier to talk to people.” All in all, it’s a brand-new page in Daniel’s life.
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