When you think of performance learning, it’s easy to think about small class sizes, one-on-one conversations with a professor, or a hands-on project at the end of a semester.
When I think of performance learning, I think of the students.
Zahra Haji, a senior biology major at Millikin, is a prime example of what performance learning can inspire in a student. Haji is extremely involved on campus, such as taking a Spanish course and being named a Long-Vanderburg Scholar and Mentor.
She moved to Decatur with her family from India at the age of two, and she has enjoyed attending college so close to home.
“Attending college close to home has truly been an amazing experience,” Haji said. “It has allowed me to explore all that campus life has to offer while having the comfort of my home and family nearby. I have been able to become a part of numerous student organizations while being able to enjoy dinner every night with my family.”
In addition, Haji is a practicing Muslim, and last month was extremely important for her, as she observed Ramadan, a month of prayer and fasting for Muslims.
“My faith is a really important part of my identity,” she said. “It’s something that empowers me, not something that holds me back. It empowers me to become the person I am, and it gives me a perspective on the way I look at the world.”
Although she has an extremely busy schedule, she understands how important it is to remain focused on each individual item on her daily agenda.
“One way that I have been able to balance all of this is by keeping myself accountable for every role that I play,” Haji said. “I try to give the best I can to every role. Organization plays a big role in how I manage being a mentor, student, and everything else.”
A day in Haji’s life is extremely chaotic, but extremely fulfilling at the same time
“On Mondays, I have Spanish from nine to ten,” she said. “Spanish has always been something I’ve been interested in learning. I did it in high school, and I decided to continue on in college.”
After tackling Spanish, Haji heads to the lab.
“I’m also a lab prep assistant for the genetics class and microbiology class in Leighty-Tabor,” she said. “So after class, I head over there and prepare the media for those labs. That usually takes me up until around 1:30 [in the afternoon].”
Science has always been one of Haji’s interests, as she is a Biology major.
“Growing up, I really enjoyed science,” she said. “I knew I wanted to get into that field. I knew that biology was the best place to start. I’ve loved the research that I’ve been able to do here at Millikin.”
Science classes are where performance learning has most impacted Haji’s Millikin career. She has enjoyed being able to be in small classes, which has allowed her to connect with her professors in a more effective way.
“I knew that at another institute, doing research with the faculty is much harder, but I’ve been given that opportunity here at Millikin,” she said.
Her research seems like an extremely complex process, but Haji has greatly enjoyed the challenge.
“I’ve done research in the areas of microbiology where I’ve worked with Pseudomonas, which is a bacterial strain, and testing its ability to inhibit the growth of other bacterial strains in the presence of various sugars,” she said. “Last semester, I did a project where I tested its ability to inhibit other bacterial strains in the presence of naphthalene.”
Finally, to wrap up her Mondays at Millikin, Haji holds office hours.
“I have my Long-Vanderburg office hours from one to three,” she said. “So, I head over there and do my mentoring.”
Being a part of the Long-Vanderburg program has been an incredible opportunity for a student like Haji to strengthen her ties to her peers around her.
“The Long-Vanderburg program stands on the pillars of scholarship, leadership, and service,” she said. “We do a lot of activities that are service-related, and we encourage our volunteers to do the same on campus. I have learned a lot about communication, and I’ve gotten to know people on campus that I would not have known if I had not been a part of this program.”
When asked about her favorite experience in the program, she recalled a fun summer experience right away.
“All Long-Vanderburg Scholars are required to attend something called Summer Leadership Academy, which is held two weeks prior to new student welcome week,” she said. “This is where the Long-Vanderburg Scholars come to campus, settle in the dorms, and attend a one-credit course in one week, usually with the director of the program. In that week, we get to learn a lot about not only each other, but also what the LV program stands for.”
Not only does Haji balance all of these educational activities, but she also gets her faith involved every step of the way. Her faith was especially important during Ramadan.
“We pray five times a day,” she said. “So during the time that my office hours are, there’s also a prayer that comes at that time. It usually takes about five minutes. It’s pretty short, but I take a five-minute break for myself and pray, and then I get back to my work, mentoring students or doing whatever is needed for the [Long-Vanderberg] program.”
With Ramadan comes extra opportunities to practice her faith, and Haji has totally immersed herself in these experiences.
“During Ramadan, we have a special night of prayer called ‘Tarawih,’” she said. “We have a Mosque here in Decatur where you can go to read during the nighttime, so that’s lucky. It happens after I’m done here at Millikin.”
Not only does Haji focus on reading the Quran, or the holy book of Islam, but she also focuses on her prayers during this special time.
“The first thing that comes to my mind is being more observant of my prayers and making sure I’m getting them done in a timely fashion,” she said. “We also read the Quran, similar to how Christians have the Bible, so I try my best to take out a few minutes of my daily time and read the Quran. That’s another way that I feel like I’m bringing myself closer to God.”
Another way that Haji was able to practice Ramadan was through fasting. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating or drinking from dawn until sunset. Only after the sun has set are they allowed to break the fast.
So, not only is Haji able to thrive in her busy schedule, but she also did so last month while observing a fast.
“My faith really strengthens me,” she said. “I’m able to go about it pretty nicely. My prayers keep me grounded. Those are the main things that keep me grounded. I really like that I can take a break from a busy, hectic day, and go pray for five minutes and be myself. I think I’ve found a pretty good balance between my mentoring, doing my homework, and practicing my faith.”
After graduation, Haji plans to start the job search right away.
“I’m going to take a gap year,” she said. “I’m currently applying to lab tech jobs around town, and I want to try to get some experience working in a laboratory setting. After that, I might continue on to my master’s. I’m currently looking at ADM, which is a great place to start.”
Haji is proof that anyone can balance a busy life with an intentional faith journey. Wherever she ends up, she is bound to have success.
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