How to Make the Perfect Georgetown Pancake: A Note to Present and Future Hoyas
By Jannat Almazbek (GU-Q’28), a sophomore from Kyrgyzstan, majoring in International Economics with a minor in Arabic. At Georgetown, she is a First-Year Experience Captain and a basketball player.
Today, I will tell you my secret (or not so secret anymore) recipe and ingredients that make the Georgetown pancake perfect.
Before we begin, two disclaimers: this is not a recipe for the conventional pancakes we usually think about, and this is how I make the pancake. Your recipe might differ, but that’s what makes the world of pancakes so fun!
To make the pancake, we will need 4 essential ingredients:
First and foremost, flour, or in my case, office hours. At GU-Q, professors hold office hours, designated a couple of hours per week, when you can walk into their office to ask questions or have a chat. I utilize them consistently because this is the very base of a Georgetown pancake. After all, that is how you grow your intellectual curiosity and connections on campus.
Throughout any course at GU-Q, if you listen carefully enough, you will eventually have questions about the material, tests, or assignments. Instead of asking your friends, you can stop by your professor’s office, say hi, and ask those questions! We are so privileged to study in small classes, so let’s take advantage of it. Also, professors love it when you put in that extra effort 🙂
Now, how could we make the pancakes without eggs? Eggs are the building block – just like getting familiar with the staff & utilizing available resources. When I have a free minute in my calendar, I book appointments with different departments and student workers: Writing Center, Careers, Wellness, and more.
The Writing Center is one of my favorite places to visit on campus. I go there with all sorts of questions: specific, vague, big or small, for my classes or personal projects. I love how everything is tailored to my needs because the writing specialists and student tutors have flexible timings. With each visit, I become a better critical thinker, writer, and person, leaving this place with a great amount of reflection.
Then, whenever I need to improve my resume, prepare for an interview, or feel anxious about my career, I book appointments with the Careers. Malak and Kirsten are incredibly helpful not only in technical aspects but also in guiding on career choices and professional paths.
The great conversations and receiving assistance are not limited to the Writing Center or the Career Service Center; there are many more departments that can help you, because they exist to inspire, support, and help you learn as students. Just like the ingredients in a perfect pancake, each connection adds flavor, structure, and sweetness to my Georgetown experience.
Sugar. That sweet part of the recipe that helps me thrive at Georgetown is plugging in fun activities into the Google Calendar. I take 30-minute walks to enjoy the sun during lunch hours, absorb that vitamin D, and intentionally catch up with my friends to unwind before class. In the long run, it helps me to stay focused during the lectures and avoid burnout, because I am not only a student, but also a human being who needs to enjoy the present moment:)
Finally, syrup, or in this case, sport, is my very special ingredient. Sure, you can eat the pancake without it, or go through life at Georgetown without sports, but having sports in your life is what makes it truly complete. As a member of the Georgetown Basketball team, I take part in weekly training sessions and games against other universities or leagues in Doha. The lessons I take away from the court are as valuable as the lessons from the classroom. Practices, competitions, and team hangouts taught me a lot about coordination, support, and team contributions.
Obviously, we have skipped a few ingredients needed for truly great pancakes, but this is how I would cook mine! These are the essentials, so to make the perfect pancakes and enjoy the full Georgetown experience, don’t skip any ingredients and don’t be afraid to add your own!