"I could end up working in something that hasn't been invented yet!"

Mariona Bonás will take Physics + Mathematics at the UAB, a university she already knew because she has been involved in various activities here. She is passionate about astronomy and particle physics, as well as mathematics. But she is not sure what kind of work she will eventually do, because it may not have been invented yet, as she explains herself.

17/09/2015

"I try to keep on track, make good use of my time and not get obsessed with studying, because if I do I freeze up. And above all it's important for me to get plenty of sleep so I can concentrate the next day".

She went to the same school from primary age to upper secondary: Escola Sant Gervasi, in Mollet del Vallès. She actually lives in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, very close to the Bellaterra Campus, which is one reason, though not the only one, for picking the UAB.

-Why did you choose the UAB?
- I chose the Autònoma for several reasons. Obviously, one is that it's so close to where I live. I'm only 10 minutes from home. I could come by car or by train. Another reason is that I know the UAB well. I've been involved in quite a few activities here on campus over the last few years. I've taken part in the Maths Saturdays, I've taken the Maths Olympics courses, I took my university entrance exams here... so I already know the campus quite well. I think it's a really nice place, with lots of greenery. Everything is closer to hand here than in other universities. For example, I'm taking physics and mathematics, which are right next to each other so I won't have to move far. Apart from that, you can see there's a good atmosphere here and they soon make you feel at home. And you've got all the services within easy reach.

-And why did you choose to study Physics + Mathematics?
Well I wasn't sure at first. I took the Technology track for the Upper Secondary School Certificate, but I've always liked everything: arts, sciences and technology. In the end I went for science because I wanted to do aerospace, computer science or engineering – something like that. But I didn't make up my mind until my final year in school, thanks to my Physics teacher, who gave me a lot of encouragement and got me really interested in the world of physics. In fact, so much so that last winter I went to an astronomy camp in Italy. And mathematics I've always loved. I really enjoy doing maths. This is down to another teacher who got me hooked! So when I saw the chance to do degrees in both of these at once, I made my mind up.

-Is there some kind of "professional secret" to getting marks as high as yours?
-I just try to get interested in everything, I always try to get the best out of what I'm being taught. I try to keep on track and not get obsessed, because if I do I freeze up and come to a stop. It's very important to make good use of your time and keep everything on schedule, not leave things to the last minute. And above all get plenty of sleep, at least in my case! If I don't get enough sleep I can't concentrate the next day. That's really important to me.

-And what do you do in your free time? Have you got any hobbies to help you switch off from studying?
-Yes, I've been doing classical dance since I was seven. I play the violin in JOSPEM, the youth orchestra in my town, Santa Perpètua. It really helps me to disconnect! I do some tutoring in a speech therapy centre in my town. And on Saturdays I help out in a youth club as a monitor. I really like being around kids.

-That's a lot of activities... don't you get stressed out?
-No, no. Not at all. Having so much on my mind means I make the best use of my time. If I had more time I'd relax more perhaps.

-And how do you see your future career? What would you like to do?
-Well I'm not too sure, to be honest. I'd rather wait until I've started my degree before deciding what I like. Let me see... I do like astronomy a lot, and particle physics, but I don't know if I could work in them. Someone told me once that 75% of technology students end up working in something that doesn't exist! So I don't really know what I'll end up doing....

-What do you expect to get out of your experience at university?
-I'm really hoping to learn new things, meet new people – get the genuine "UAB experience" as you call it here. And above all I want to start studying things that I'm passionate about, which is the case with the subjects on my degree.