SHS alumna carries work ethic to college

Projects and textbooks fill up the room of Class of 2013 alumna Sanjna Verma, now a sophomore at New York University (NYU) studying economics and computer science with an emphasis in math. Despite her heavy workload, though, she still goes to various club meetings, socializes with friends and hunts down new opportunities, a schedule she has been able to manage since high school.

In high school, Verma joined many extracurricular activities while maintaining a high GPA. She participated in the annual Synopsys science fair, History Day and impromptu speech in the speech and debate. She was also appointed to the Homecoming Commission, the editor-in-chief of yearbook and a member of Leadership. On the cultural side, she was actively involved in Indian club, Indian classical dance and Indian classical singing. Additionally, she played for the varsity golf team.

At times when her heavy schedule tipped the scale, Verma sacrificed sleep to practice music at 1 a.m., with more homework and studying to do afterwards.

Verma’s multitude of extracurriculars and intense school workload helped her learn proper time management skills while completing and partaking in activities she loved. Her experience in doing so allows her to manage a hectic schedule in college while continuing to pursue her non academic passions.
In high school, Verma was unsure of what major she wanted to pursue so she tried a little bit of everything to allow herself the opportunity of discovering new passions.

Balancing her heavy schedule in college is difficult at times, but Verma always reminds herself “that there is no angry way to say bubbles.” In other words, she maintains optimism in the worst of situations, such as overly stressful homework assignment weeks. She also keeps a planner and only takes one binder and one notebook with her to all of her classes. She uses dividers in her binder for every class to stay organized.

“Since I was pretty crazy with my schedule in high school, it contributed to my time management in college,” Verma said.

Verma chose to study at NYU after graduating from SHS because she had always wanted to study in New York City and gain exposure to independence and finance she couldn’t get living in California. Though she still has no definite career path set in mind, the combination of subjects that she is studying enables her to “think up a lot of crazy inventions.”  

For instance, during the spring semester of her freshman year of college, Verma began developing a multi-destination routing system similar to a GPS that can be used as an application; her work allowed her to explore more of the entrepreneurial network of NYU and New York City as well as to form connections with other students and professionals. The experience also allowed her to put her computer science knowledge to use in a way that was beneficial to others.

To expand her social network in NYU and interests, Verma also joined business related groups at her school such as the business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, Tech@NYU, the Entrepreneurial Exchange Group, NYU Entrepreneur’s Festival and NYU Shruti. She has also entered in case competitions, or finance-oriented speech and debate.

In these groups, she has taken on various jobs, including revamping the website for both DSP and the Entrepreneurial Exchange Group.

“I join all of these groups because they keep me involved outside of my classes,” Verma said. “I have met so many inspiring people that have become fast friends.”

Regardless of her multitude of achievements, Verma feels that she is still not as accomplished as some of the other students at NYU; however, she does not allow herself to stop “pushing through,” believing that persevering will enable her to continue meeting others and growing as both a student and a person.

Verma’s younger sister, Class of 2014 alumna Sachi Verma, now a freshman at the University of Washington, says her sister’s drive motivated her to make the most of her own college opportunities.

“[She] has definitely inspired me to be creative and to seize every opportunity I can,” Sachi Verma said. “I learned from her that college has countless opportunities and you have to go and get them if you want it.”

Verma said she views success as being simultaneously financially stable and emotionally fulfilled, give and take a few compromises and sacrifices. She lives by a quote from her parents: "You can either master in delight or delight in being the master." For instance, Verma had to quit taking piano lessons in high school due to lack of practice time; however, she continued her old hobby in college.

To all prospective college students and other young high school girls, Verma encourages experimentation and open-mindedness. She believes there can be no regret in giving something a shot, and college is the best place to do so. She also motivates high schoolers and college students to make more friends and to build a support system. 
“Always Google whatever question pops into your head,” Verma said. “You'll be surprised as to what you'll learn by continuously reading and researching, and that sort of education is unparalleled.”