"Constant effort and dedication is a must if you want to get good marks"
Martí Solà Bertran is the student with the highest mark out of all those starting their university studies at the UAB this year. He scored 13.960 in the entrance exams and comes from the IES Front Marítim; and already from a young age he was fascinated by math and logics games. Karla Martínez Añón, who studied at the Colegio San Fernando in Avilés, Asturias, is the female student with the highest entrance mark this year, 13.900; she will be studying Biochemistry given that she has always felt passionate about the world of cells.
Martí: "Theoretical physics, and quantum physics in particular, is what interests me most right now".
Karla: "I would love to be able to contribute to the advancements in knowledge, diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases".
-How did you manage to score such a high mark? What methods did you use when studying at school? What about when you were preparing for your entrance exams?
Martí: That's a difficult question. I don't have a specific method when studying, or at least I'm not aware of it, I think it's more about finding the method or system that best fits you, or that best fits your character. It is also crucial to be consistent in your efforts and dedication, throughout secondary school, and definitely in the months leading up to the entrance exams. In a way, secondary school is like a long-distance race, and the entrance exams are only the final sprint.
Karla: The way I see it, I don't think I did anything special to get this mark. I have always been very consistent and organised, since I was little. So, despite the difficulties, efforts and hours of dedication needed to study at school, especially this last year, I've been able to combine my studies with other activities and hobbies, and even with this strange situation of uncertainty we are going through. Therefore, I think what helped me get such a high score was to continue studying even when I didn't want to or felt that I couldn't, or felt that everything was going against me.
-Since when did you clearly know you want to enrol in these studies?
Martí: It was something that I had been thinking about since I began secondary school, but it wasn't until these past two years that I made up my mind. I have always liked both subjects, Physics and Mathematics, and I have never been able to choose one over the other. That is why this double degree is perfect for me, since I have always liked math and logics games.
Karla: When I was little, I wanted to be an architect, although as I grew, I began to discover a passion for cheistry and especially biology. However, it wasn't until two years ago that I discovered that what I was really passionate about was biochemistry, since this includes the two disciplines I like.
-What motivated you to study this and choose this area of knowledge?
Martí: My interest in physics and maths has grown through the years, as I began to discover these disciplines more in depth. I have always had what they can an "inquisitive mind": I like it when someone formulates a question that is difficult to solve, that I have to work hard on, and exercise my brain to find the answer. And I think that is preceisely what physics and mathematics are about. Each of these disciplines focuses on slightly different perspectives, but in essence they require the same mechanism of reason.
Karla: The first time I did something with biochemistry was in the first semester of upper secondary school, and almost since that first class I knew that it was the subject I liked most. I have always been interested in the world of cells and thanks to that subject, I discovered that doing research and understanding more about this field could help to make vast improvements in the life of everyone. That was definitely what most attracted me to the field of biochemistry.
-What do expect from university life, both academically and personally?
Martí: I expect university to provide me with learning at all possible levels. I am enrolling in the UAB because I wwant to learn a lot and also enjoy these years to the fullest. Until now I have studied things that appeal to me more or less, but now is when I will be able to concentrate on what I really like. Obviously, university is a big change to my school routine until now, and I hope these new experiences can help me become the person I want to be so that I can face the world in the best way possible.
Karla: In terms of learning, I believe the UAB's prestige and reputation speak for themselves in terms of its quality of teaching. At the personal level, I am very happy to have the opportunity to live these important years in such an open and cosmopolitan city as is Barcelona, which will in no doubt help me to become an ever stronger and more independent woman. I know it will be a challenge, but I am very much looking forward to this experience.
-Why did you choose the UAB? What is it that motivated you to enrol here?
Martí: I knew that the UAB was the best university closest to me, in Barcelona and in Catalonia, in terms of the studies I'm enrolling in. Apart from that, I did a summer camp here at the UAB last year and it helped me discover the university up close. The centres and the campus environment seemed great and that has helped me make my decision.
Karla: The main reason I chose the UAB was because my brother begins his PhD in Biomathematics here this year. So he was the one to tell me about this universitiy and the variety of options I had here, not only academically, but also for my future as a researcher in the field I am interested in. That is why, despite the difficulties I may have to learn Catalan at first, which I am starting to learn now, I was sure that this was the university for me.
-What would you like to do professionally in the future?
Martí: My goal is to work as a researcher. Theoretical physics, and quantum physics in particular, are what interest me most at the moment. Who knows, maybe I'll end up doing something completely different. I hope this degree opens me up to new fields and ideas that can help me decide my professional future.
Karla: I think like all biochemist, I would like to dedicate my life to research. I would specifically be interested in contributing to the advancements in the knowledge, diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases. Although there are other fields such as oncology or virology which I would be happy to work in, as well.
-Apart from studying, do you have any hobbies? (sports, languages, reading, music, etc.)
Martí: This last school year I was on the basketball team and I studied English. Part of my free time is dedicated to music; I play the violin and take classes in a music academy. In addition to playing, I enjoy listening to music, as well as reading and watching television series.
Karla: This might sound typical, but sports and music are my favourite hobbies. They help me get away from everything and relax. I also watch television series and read before going to bed. Languages also form part of my daily routine, in addition to English, I've studied German for four years now. And of course I love being with my girl friends and partying with them.
-Could you recommend a book or series you particularly like?
Martí: I just finished reading Catch the Rabbit by Lana Bastašic. It is about a Bosnian girl who returns to her home country to help her childhood friend to find her lost brother. I highly recommend the book. I also recommend both the original book and the series "The Handmaid's Tale".
Karla: I am a bit of a fanatic when it comes to series and always find time to watch at least one episode, so I can recommend "Cable Girls", "Vikings", "Money Heist", "Narcos" and "Anne with an E". However, the one I recommend most is "Genius". This series has two seasons and each of them focuses on the life of a great genius of the 20th century. The first season and my favourties is about the incredible physicist Albert Einstein, while the second season is dedicated to the life of the magnificent Pablo Picasso.