Leena Alzafarani '25

Psychology and Biology double major: minor in Health, Medicine and Society

On Stony Brook:
I chose to study at Stony Brook because it allowed me to stay close to home, and as a local student, I had already been involved on campus since high school. I knew Stony Brook had a strong reputation for STEM fields, with a wide range of research opportunities. Its rigorous academic environment made it the ideal place to challenge myself and prepare for graduate school.

On her Major:
I am graduating with a double major in psychology and biology, with a minor in health, medicine, and society. I never had intended to double major, but as I was fulfilling prerequisites for dental school, psychology classes caught my interest. One class led to another, so I pursued it as a major. As for the minor,  it was a fun and enriching way to broaden my perspective on healthcare beyond the sciences.

Plans for post-graduation:
I am very grateful to say I will be attending dental school in the fall.

Advice for  potential Seawolves: 
My biggest advice is to fill your time with side quests. Despite how hard things can get while trying to navigate things to reach your goal, it gives you something to constantly look forward to and prevents burnout. Side quests can encompass anything from joining clubs and just saying yes to different opportunities to exploring something new with friends. Regardless of what it is, it allows you to bond with new people, expand your network, and give your life a bit more spice. Just put yourself out there, even if it’s outside of your comfort zone, it’ll take you places, sometimes literally. One last thing worth mentioning is that please attend office hours. I know you will hear this a lot, but it’s because it’s the key to excelling in your classes, especially those introductory large ones.

Favorite SBU memory:
My favorite SBU memory is being a TA for CHE 321 and BIO 201 because it was such a rewarding experience as I got to work closely with professors who inspired me and helped me grow. I met some of my closest friends during that time. But what I’ll remember most overall are the friendships I made throughout college. Those little moments meant everything, from late-night conversations to random side quests with friends. I am incredibly grateful for the people who challenged, supported, and made me laugh.