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I am a senior majoring in economics and double minoring in entrepreneurship and finance. One of the best parts of my time at Tufts has been the incredible courses I have taken. These classes have not only deepened my knowledge in my areas of interest but also allowed me to develop valuable skills and perspectives that I will carry with me beyond the classroom. From building close relationships with professors to collaborating with classmates on challenging yet rewarding projects, these courses have played a significant role in shaping my academic journey and personal growth. Here are my top six favorite classes, in no particular order:

#1 - Behavioral Economics

Taking Behavioral Economics at Tufts completely reshaped the way I think about decision-making and human behavior. The course covered a wide range of topics, including loss aversion, risky choices, decision-making under uncertainty, coordination, and social preferences. Each subject revealed new insights into the ways people think and act in various economic and social contexts.

A key aspect of the course was reading about groundbreaking experiments in the field. We critically evaluated these studies, examining their design, methodologies, and real-world applications. This process not only deepened my understanding of behavioral economics but also sharpened my analytical skills.

My favorite part of the class was collaborating with a team to design and conduct our own experiments. We focused on social preferences, specifically examining whether people prioritize maximizing their earnings or maintaining positive social approval. This project allowed us to apply the theories we had studied in a practical setting, from developing a hypothesis to carefully designing the experiment and analyzing potential outcomes. It was an exciting, hands-on experience that brought the concepts of behavioral economics to life.

By the end of the course, I had gained a deeper appreciation for the complexity of human behavior and how it intersects with economics. This class not only challenged me intellectually but also inspired me to think creatively about solving real-world problems.

#2 - Entrepreneurial Leadership

Entrepreneurial Leadership was one of the most transformative classes I have taken at Tufts, helping me grow both personally and professionally. The course focused on developing critical life skills, such as public speaking, communication, collaboration, team building, and goal setting—tools that have shaped how I approach challenges and opportunities.

We started with in-class activities designed to help us discover our passions and truly take the time and proper steps to reflect on what drives us. These exercises were not only thought-provoking but also gave me clarity about my personal and professional goals. Throughout the semester, we worked on crafting and delivering elevator pitches, which taught me how to communicate ideas concisely and confidently while authentically building meaningful relationships.

The class also emphasized the importance of giving and receiving feedback, a skill that proved invaluable inside the classroom during our presentations and group projects, but also outside of the classroom during my extracurriculars and internships. 

By the end of the course, I had not only honed my leadership skills, but I also gained a deeper understanding of how to work with others, communicate effectively, and pursue my goals with intention. This class gave me the tools and confidence to step into leadership roles and tackle challenges head-on.

#3 - Food Media

Food Media was one of the most exciting and engaging classes I have taken at Tufts. Food Media is a course under the Experimental College (ExCollege). The ExCollege is a department at Tufts that offers innovative elective courses from a wide range of subjects. 

We started by diving into the history of food media, examining how storytelling about food has evolved across platforms like social media, television, and online blogs. I learned how to write proper recipes for cookbooks, an art that combines precision and creativity and gained a deeper appreciation for the craft of food writing.

The course also featured guest speakers—professional food stylists, food writers, and social media influencers—who shared their experiences and career journeys in the food media industry. Their stories brought real-world context to our discussions and highlighted the many paths one can take in this field. One of my favorite speakers was the Head of Tasty Editorial at Buzzfeed, who showed us the steps of creating engaging social media content.

After listening to each guest speaker, we were tasked with a hands-on challenge to test what we learned. We collaborated with one another to do things like create viral TikToks or even styling the most stunning peanut butter and jelly sandwich to create a catching image.

The highlight of the class for me was a project where I created a foodie Instagram page. Through this, I built an online community centered around food and even secured a partnership with a national cookie company. The experience taught me how to combine creativity with strategy to grow a brand and engage an audience. This class truly changed the way I think about creating and reacting to food media.

#4 - Nonprofits, Impact, and Philanthropy

This course taught me the significance of what it takes to build and sustain a successful nonprofit organization. We examined critical elements such as vision, leadership, resources, and execution, while also uncovering how entrepreneurship and philanthropy intersect to drive social change. Through case studies, press analyses, and dynamic group discussions, we gained a comprehensive understanding of the nonprofit landscape in the U.S.

One of the most impactful aspects of the class was engaging directly with nonprofit leaders and grantmakers. These conversations provided firsthand insights into the complexities of funding, power dynamics, and ethical considerations in philanthropy. We also explored theories of change, learning how to assess nonprofit impact and the intricate relationship between nonprofits, social justice, and societal transformation.

The highlight of the course was developing and implementing a grantmaking strategy. Working as a team, we evaluated local nonprofits and awarded funding through a $25,000 grant generously provided by the Gantcher Family Foundation. This hands-on experience not only taught me how to think critically about resource allocation but also reinforced the importance of trust and equity in driving meaningful social impact.

#5 & #6 - Statistics and Econometrics

At first glance, Statistics and Econometrics might not sound like the most exciting courses, but they quickly became two of my favorites at Tufts. In Statistics, I built upon what I learned in AP Statistics in high school, strengthening my understanding of fundamental concepts and exploring new applications. This foundation not only deepened my appreciation for data analysis but also prepared me to excel in Econometrics. In fact, I have enjoyed the class so much that I have been a teaching assistant for it for three semesters now!

Econometrics took my statistical knowledge to the next level, focusing on how to establish cause-and-effect relationships in economic contexts. We learned how to critically evaluate economic research and apply econometric techniques to real-world data. The highlight of the course was writing our own research papers using Stata, where we analyzed relationships and tested hypotheses based on economic theories.

These two courses have helped me develop essential hard skills in Stata and Excel, while also teaching me how to design and execute proper economic experiments. Together, they’ve given me the tools to approach data-driven problems with confidence and precision.

I am beyond grateful to the professors who have guided me, challenged me, and pushed me to become the best version of myself throughout my time at Tufts. From courses within my economics major to those in entirely different fields, each class has offered something unique and valuable. These experiences have taught me the importance of perspective, collaboration, and teamwork, while also helping me master productivity and time management. To incoming Tufts students, I encourage you to explore the incredible variety of classes available and make the most of your academic journey—it is an opportunity to learn, grow, and discover passions you never knew you had.