A Week in the Life: BSDS Student, Jia Park

Kirsten Samuels

January 15, 2025

Topics

Admissions

BSDS

Student Spotlight

Jia Park, B.S. in Data Science Student and Ambassador

Major: Data Science

Expected Graduation Year: 2027

Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia

Jia Park is a second-year student and member of the inaugural cohort of Bachelor of Science in Data Science (BSDS) at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Data Science. During her first year at UVA, Park took the DS 1001 prerequisite course where she quickly recognized the vast potential and importance of data science.

Inspired by her experience, she applied to the School, earned admission to the Class of 2027, and now serves as an Admissions Ambassador, helping to share her passion for data science with prospective students. Learn more about her life as an undergrad in the BSDS program below.

UVA Data Science BSDS student ambassadors at front desk in matching blue data science shirts — Jia Park, left, and fellow BSDS Student Ambassadors Tara Ghose, Madeleine Cummings and Ruth Melese at Datapalooza.

Weekly Academic Schedule

Even though the week technically starts on a Monday, my class schedule is pretty light that day, so I feel like I have a three-day weekend every week. Tuesday is where things pick up! We have our 2 core data science classes (Computational Probability and Computing Systems I) on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 am to 12:15 pm.

Having the two classes right next to each other is super convenient, since we can have a quick bathroom break and then go straight to the next class. My next class isn’t until 2 pm, so I usually like to stay in the building and do some work at the stand-up tables, or I’ll go to the wellness room (Wellness and Affirmation Room, 302) and fold origami with some of my classmates. After I’m done with my classes I’ll head home and usually take a nap and eat before I start any work.

On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we don’t have to go to the data science building at all since we have no core classes. My first class is at 1 pm, with a nice 2-hour break between the two classes I have those days. During this time, I’ll either push through some readings for class or take a quick 10-minute walk to The Corner, where I’ll normally grab a slice of pizza from Christian’s and a bubble tea from Moge!

I try to stick to doing work for other classes these days, but if I have any extra time after my classes end at 4:45, I’ll head back to the School of Data Science to get some additional help, or even just to do some work on my own near all the windows on the second floor. The data science curriculum is nice because it leaves a good amount of room for us to invest time into other classes while still remaining our main focus. This lets me stick to this same routine nearly every week, and while I love being able to explore lots of other things, I’m excited for next semester when I can take most of my classes at the School of Data Science every day!

UVA Data Science BSDS student Jia Park in the classroom with students and laptops — Jia Park in class at the School of Data Science.

Homework for our data science classes is less about doing the actual assignment, and more about making sure you completely understand the topics, so this normally takes me around 2-3 hours. Then I’ll pack my lunch for the next day and go to sleep (sometimes before midnight…sometimes not).

Recreation and Extracurriculars

On days when I don’t have too much work, I enjoy playing volleyball at Slaughter Rec Center with some of the members of the Organization of Young Filipino Americans! They host a lot of cool events such as Secret Santa and game nights, just to name a few.

Another thing I like doing when I have free time is going to the gym. Although it can be a little crowded at times, I enjoy doing my exercises in the pink yoga room in the back of the AFC. Getting some movement throughout my week is important to me and I’m super grateful that there are plenty of fun opportunities for this on Grounds. I typically save social activities for when the sun is up and enjoy doing my work at night when I can relax with hot tea.

Set of 3 homemade keychains in cute little blue and white designs — Clay keychains made by Jia Park.

Hobbies/Personal Time

Alongside my club events and activities, I have a few hobbies that I enjoy doing with friends or by myself when I have the time. One thing that I’ve been hooked on is making little clay keychains! I’ll normally sit at my coffee table with one or two other people for hours making these little keychains.

Another thing I love to do is explore the food both on and off Grounds! My favorite restaurants near Grounds will probably have to be Al Carbon and Kanak, but the list is always changing.