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Thomas Bakx is a Bachelor’s student in the Mathematics and Physics study programmes. At secondary school, he often showed up late to class because he had trouble with the obligation to attend lessons that weren’t always interesting. He enjoys the greater freedom at the university much better. In his first year, he never earned a grade of less than 8.5 for any course, and he completed all of his mathematics exams with a perfect 10. That result made him the best first-year Mathematics students in Utrecht along with Bas Verseveldt, and earned him a Young Talent Encouragement Prize worth 500 Euros.

When I arrived, I knew absolutely no-one, but I’ve found a fun group of friends from the study programme.

“I think that I spend an average amount of time studying. To me, studying is more like a hobby. I enjoy solving mathematical problems; at secondary school I started practicing for the Mathematics Olympiade. You learn how to solve a large number of problems by creatively using just the limited arsenal of proofs and principles you have. I really enjoyed that.”

Mathematics or Physics

“I knew early on that I wanted to do something with mathematics or physics, because I always enjoyed those subjects and was very good at them - especially mathematics. For physics, I didn’t even earn an 8 on the central exam, so I could do it, but I wasn’t exceptional.”

Interesting

“I really think that the knowledge I’ve gained here is interesting, although not everything has that ‘wow’ factor. Sometimes it takes a while before I understand how something is relevant. Like with Linear Algebra, during the second block of the first year. Now, with Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, I understand why we needed that.”

Well-integrated study programme

“I decided for Utrecht because they’ve had the double-Bachelor’s programme for a long time. The study programme is indeed well-integrated and the course schedule is put together well.”

Take care of myself

“Since I come from the far south of Brabant, I decided to move to Utrecht right away. In the beginning, it was difficult to take care of myself all on my own. We don’t often eat together in my student house, but soon I’ll be moving to another house near the city centre with some of my friends from the study programme.”

Settled in just fine

“I’ve settled in just fine here in Utrecht. When I arrived, I knew absolutely no-one, but I’ve found a fun group of friends from the study programme, and we do things together outside of our studies as well. We also regularly attend the student society A-Eskwadraat get-togethers. As a student assistant, I also help with the lectures for Linear Algebra for first-year students, and I’ve helped with the Open Day for Mathematics and with a study introduction day. I really enjoy things like that.”

Courses of other study programmes

“I skipped a year at primary school, so I’m still relatively young, and I have time to spend four years on my Bachelor’s. That gives me the opportunity to take courses of other study programmes, such as Computer Science and Biology. I’m also considering signing up for the Descartes Programme, an interdisciplinary Honours programme that is not limited to science students.”