Name: Cody Shook
Year: Sophomore
Major: Biology, Spanish and Chemistry Minor
Relationship Status: Single
Her Campus (HC): Thanks for sitting down with us! Let’s start with the basics; what is the most difficult part of university?
Cody Shook (CS): For me, and this has been true since I started at FSU – it’s going to class. Waking up when my alarm wants me to wake up, taking a shower, getting dressed, eating breakfast, getting into the car, finding parking, walking to class…
HC: So the physical act of going to class?
CS: Yes, it is the most stressful part of my life.
HC: What’s the easiest part of university?
CS: Being at a university in general makes life so much easier. You’re able to be independent, do your own thing and you don’t have outside pressures affecting you as much. Really it’s just the pressure you put on yourself.
HC: Some people say that a university is an introduction into real life. Do you agree with that?
CS: Yeah, I agree with that. You really find yourself – your own work ethic, your own interests, finding your own place in the world. University is a taste of what the world has to offer and what we can push ourselves to accomplish. You don’t have to ask your mom for a ride to a club meeting, you just – if you want to do something, you have to do it.
HC: Are you involved in anything on campus?
CS: My sophomore year resolution is to get more involved. This year I want to become involved in the Environmental Club, the ASLC Film Committee and be admitted to the Spanish Honor Society once I have enough credit hours. I’d also like to join the Aspiring Medical Professionals, the Neuroscience Undergraduate Student Association, and I’m auditioning for the comedy troupe “Thirty and Sixty” next week.
HC: How can you see the rest of college playing out? What is the ideal?
CS: I want to make my resume perfect in every way. There is intrinsic value in being involved, but the payoff of the perfect resume is just as important to me. I’m not worried that I wouldn’t feel fulfilled if I were involved with a club or charity, but it would stress me out if all the work I put into that aspect of my life didn’t contribute to my future.
HC: Beyond graduate school, beyond resumes and careers, what kind of person do you want to be?
CS: I want to be someone who can pride themselves on being open, on being accepting, on being someone who people can count on even in the context of a group project. I want to be dependable, I want to be a leader, I want to be trustworthy and I want to be… me. There is only one “me.”
HC: Regarding your personal growth, what aspect of your life needs polishing?
CS: I think I need to start developing my work ethic more. If you had asked me that a few weeks ago, I would’ve said that I need to work on being self-conscious or controlling my social anxiety, but since the start of the semester I’ve realized that isn’t a problem for me anymore. I’m so ready to take FSU by storm, and I wasn’t comfortable enough or in the right state of mind to do that before. So now I feel I’m able to do whatever I want and say “yes” to whatever I want to do. But I really do need to develop my work ethic, really designating time everyday to homework and studying, being productive academically.
HC: Knowing what you know now as a student and as a person, what kind of advice would to impart to other students whether they’re new to FSU or otherwise?
CS: You only have one college experience so you can’t let fear dictate what you do and don’t do. When else in your life are you going to be free enough to take a few classes during the day and then take full advantage of your non-academic life? While you’re in college you can be involved however you want, socialize whatever way you want… there’s no point in sitting around, feeling bad about yourself when you can be out doing what you want to do.
HC: Is that your mantra right now?
CS: Try everything once. Don’t be afraid to embarrass yourself, if someone asks you to go to something, go. If you’re afraid or tired or nervous, just do it. No problem that you have right now is as important as you make it. Nothing is as life-changing as you’re making it seem.
HC: Is there any aspect of college life that is life-changing?
CS: Yeah, I mean, being at a university I’ve changed a lot. I’ve experienced a lot of self-growth. I’m more self-reflective because you spend more time alone. There’s partying and socializing going on, but I think some people use that as an escape. And I think those people don’t see being alone, being independent, as a way to grow. Like those people who need someone they know in every class, and can’t walk to class without someone, or always have to go out to feel validated, I think they don’t see alone time as a chance for personal growth. You’re going to have to be alone with yourself for the rest of your life. Even if you’re spending time with other people, you’re still the only one in your head.
HC: You don’t mean that in a morose way, right? It’s a reality of life.
CS: Right, it’s a reality of life. You’re the only one in your head.
HC: For now…
CS: Ha, right? For now… But you do have to be comfortable with yourself. You can’t expect to be comfortable with anyone else until you’re comfortable with yourself. It’s so clique, but you will never be fully satisfied in life until you’re satisfied with yourself. People shouldn’t be afraid of just reflecting, thinking about what you want to do, who you want to be… and college is the best time to do that self-work.
HC: Why not after college?
CS: Because college is the only time in your life when you’re the perfect mix of being a kid and being an adult. You get to do anything you want, as much as you want to, and that really promotes the self-growth we’ve been talking about.