This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mich chapter.
Name: Elena Perkins
Age: 21
Hometown: Ann Arbor
Year: Senior
Major: Cellular Molecular Biology
Minor: Gender and Health
Hobbies: Playing piano, making sandwiches at Jersey Mike’s, Netflix
Extra-curriculars: Camp Kesem, Biology Student Alliance (BSA), Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) Lab
Her Campus: What was your initial reaction to finding out you were nominated for ‘Campus Celeb’?
Elena Perkins: Surprised! I didn’t know too much about Her Campus before I was nominated, but I’m very honored to be featured by a community that’s so empowering for women.
HC: Part of the reasoning behind your nomination was an extensive list of everything you do. You’re pre-med, you have multiple jobs, you participate in medical research, and you are a part of Camp Kesem. How do you handle it all?
EP: Time management was definitely an acquired skill and one I learned the hard way. I’m unfortunately a procrastinator at heart. It can become overwhelming at times, but copious amounts of coffee and the occasional yoga class got me through some stressful times. But seriously, I’m extremely passionate about everything I’m involved in, and I think it makes all the difference when it comes to getting your work done. Tackling a big list of to-do items doesn’t seem so daunting when you’re motivated by the work you do.
HC: Tell us about Camp Kesem. (When you got involved, why you got involved, what it’s like, what it does, etc.)
EP: Camp Kesem recognizes and embraces the often-overlooked population of children affected by a parent’s cancer. We fundraise and organize a free week-long summer camp for kids ages 6-16. It’s a way for the kids to just be kids again, for college students to be leaders, but most importantly, it ends up being a life-changing week for both campers and counselors. I joined CK my sophomore year and was a counselor for the teens (ages 14-16). It was honestly the best week of my life; children with a parent battling cancer, in remission, or who have lost their battle, are truly one of a kind. I’m now starting my third year with CK and my second year on the coordinator board where I’m more involved with the behind-the-scenes workings. Ask anyone involved in Camp Kesem and they’ll tell you their involvement has been the best decision of their college career. Kesem means “magic” in Hebrew, and that’s the best way I can describe it. CK is magic.
(If you want to get involved or learn more about Camp Kesem, please e-mail michigan.volunteer@campkesem.org. We’re always looking for new volunteers!)
HC: What’s the most rewarding part of Camp Kesem for you?
EP: Making lifelong bonds with both the counselors and campers. It’s the biggest, most welcoming family you’ve ever been a part of.
HC: What’s some advice you have for freshmen who aspire to be as busy and as active on campus as you are?
EP: Don’t spread yourself too thin, and learn that it’s ok to say no! Definitely go out there and find amazing organizations and clubs that you’re interested in, but remember that you’re only human and can multitask only so much. Your studies and your sanity should be prioritized. Also, investing in a good planner doesn’t hurt!
HC: What do you like to do for fun?
EP: As boring as it sounds, I love to lounge around with my roommates (there are six of us!) and binge watch Ru Paul’s Drag Race and Gilmore Girls. My life is so hectic all of the time, so whenever I get a break, I spend it doing as little as possible. I wish I was one of those people that’s constantly motivated and runs marathons in their spare time, but I’m afraid I’m actually the polar opposite. Couch potato for life.