We’re thrilled to welcome you back to our Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN): Day in the Life series! This series is part of our innovative UF/FSHN Careers Advancement Project (CAP), which captures what it’s really like to earn degrees in food science, nutritional sciences, and dietetics. This project can help you discover your career passion through learning about the daily lives of students and professionals in food science and human nutrition.
Today’s topic: experience a day in the life of a first-year undergraduate student majoring in nutritional sciences on the pre-dental track.
Our guest is Nicholas Ranalletta, a soon-to-be second-year undergraduate student in the nutritional sciences program at the University of Florida. Nicholas is also a winner of the FSHN Rising Star Award. In this day-in-the-life feature, Nicholas describes a typical day packed with classes, research, social activities, and more. The first year of college can be overwhelming; fortunately, Nicholas shares his top three tips for navigating this challenge. Bonus: Stay tuned to the end of the article to see a video on a day in his life!
Meet Our UF/FSHN CAP Guest
Name: Nicholas Ranalletta
Year: Entering second year/Sophomore year
Major: Nutritional Sciences on the pre-dental track
Hometown: Buffalo, NY, now living in Tampa, FL
Why I chose my major: I chose the Nutritional Sciences major because of my interest in different types of diets (vegan, Mediterranean, carnivore, etc.) and the nutritional benefits they can provide. It is also one of the two required majors for the BS/DMD program, which I hope to be accepted into as I continue pursuing my dental career. Additionally, as someone who loves working out, running, biking, and surfing, I find it important to understand how the body works and what foods are needed to perform at my best during physically demanding activities.
Why I chose to come to UF: I chose to attend the University of Florida because I was accepted into both the Honors Program and the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. UF also has one of the only dental programs in the state of Florida, and its dental school tuition is more affordable for me compared to other dental schools in Florida. I was also fortunate that my brother, Joe Ranalletta, was attending UF and finishing his degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (APK), so he could help support me if I ever struggled academically or socially.
Hobbies: I have recently learned how to surf, windsurf, and play guitar, which keeps me occupied whenever I am not working out or studying.
Future plans: I hope to be accepted into the 7-year UF BS/DMD program so I can begin dental school early at the University of Florida. If I am not accepted into the program, I plan to dual-major in Nutritional Sciences and APK because of the overlap in required coursework. After graduation, I plan to apply to dental schools throughout Florida, as well as several out-of-state schools such as NYU and Texas A&M.
Final thoughts: In the past year, I’ve learned three major things:
1. Don’t take everything personally or be afraid to embarrass yourself.
There are over 90,000 students at UF—far too many people for anyone to remember your embarrassing moments for more than a few minutes.
2. Say yes to opportunities.
Obviously, don’t take this literally, because you still need time to study, rest, and reset each week. At the same time, though, stay open to as many new experiences as possible. I never thought I would learn to windsurf at Lake Wauburg or become a certified EMR, but I took a chance when those opportunities came up, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
3. Focus on yourself before focusing on others.
I consider myself an extrovert who wants to be friends with everyone and make sure everyone is happy. However, I’ve learned that you need to make sure you are doing well before spending all your energy making sure others are doing well, too.
Day in the Life: Nicholas Ranalletta, Nutritional Sciences and Pre-Dental Undergraduate Student
| Time: AM | MORNING ACTIVITIES |
| 7:00 |
Wake up and breakfast
Wake up, get dressed in scrubs for morning research, and grab breakfast from Broward or Gator Corner on the way. Breakfast is usually one of my largest meals of the day because I go straight from research to class and often do not eat again for 4+ hours. I usually have a large bowl of Greek yogurt with granola and fruit, eggs, milk, a banana, and an apple. |
| 7:30-10:00 |
Morning research
Muscle regeneration research in Dr. Barton’s lab at the Florida GYM.
|
| 10:40-11:30 |
Biology class Biology II class, followed by a quick snack on the way to the gym.
|
| Time: PM | AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES |
| 12:00 |
Workout Athlete- or bodybuilder-style workout, depending on how much time I have and how I’m feeling that day. If I have a chemistry or biology lab later, I’ll either go to Southwest Rec. or stay closer and work out at the Student Recreation Center.
|
| 1:30 |
Lunch Head back to the dorm to shower, change for chemistry lab, and grab a quick lunch from Broward.
|
| 2:00 | Chemistry class
Chemistry II class with Dr. Harris (the best Chem 2 professor of all time!).
|
| 3:00-6:00 | Science lab
Chemistry II or Biology II lab.
|
| 6:00-8:00 |
Evening activity Change back into regular clothes and attend either a DDS volunteering event or a Pre-Dental Society GBM.
|
| 8:30 |
Dinner Last meal before Gator Corner and Broward close for the night.
|
| 9:00-11:00 |
Studying Study time and checking emails. I’m definitely an outdoor study person, so I like studying outside Marston, Library West, or Honors Village.
|
| 11:00-11:30 | Get ready for bed
Shower and read a chapter of the Bible.
|
| 11:30 | Bedtime |
Day in the Life of a UF Pre-Dental Student:
Interested in learning more about careers in Food Science and Human Nutrition? Check out our UF/FSHN CAP series:
(1) What Can I Do with My Degree?
(2) Day in the Life
(3) Letters to Myself: Words of Advice and Encouragement
Learn more about FSHN’s renowned programs below!
Undergraduate Programs:
Dietetics
Food Science
Nutritional Sciences
Graduate Programs:
M.S. Dietetic Internship Program
M.S. Food Science and Human Nutrition
Ph.D. Food Science
Ph.D. Nutritional Sciences
2
