Senior year is full of opportunity and fun for the smart, sporty, and family-oriented Meghan. In addition to researching and studying psychology and human development, the Iowa native stays busy skating, volunteering through OVCS, and interning at a local school. She has accomplished a lot during her years at Conn: she published sports psychology research, maintained long-lasting relationships with friends and professors, and managed to color-coordinate her room each year with her favorite aquamarine blue. All she has left to do is go sledding in the Arbo! Meet this semester’s first Campus Cutie: Meghan Olt!
Class Year: 2016
Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa
Major: Psychology
Minor: Human Development
Extracurricular activities: Conn Coll Figure Skating Club, Volunteering at the Children’s Program, Interning at Pine Point, and being a gym rat
Celeb Crush: Pro golfer Jordan Spieth
Describe your ideal date: Afternoon of sailing complemented by a lobsta bake
Chocolate or red roses? Neither I prefer Sour Patch Kids!
Dinner and a movie or walk on the beach and ice cream? 100% walk on the beach and a scoop of mint chocolate chip in a cone with rainbow sprinkles!
Neon dance or Festivus? Festivus, I love when everyone gets dressed up!
Favorite book: The Chosen by Chaim Potok
Favorite TV show: Scandal
Favorite movie: The Proposal
Favorite color: My go-to color is aquamarine aka the ocean!
Favorite food: I am an extremely picky eater and my teammates say I eat like a little kid! Pirate’s Booty, Kind granola bars, and squeezable applesauce are my go-to snacks!
Favorite place on campus: While I have spent countless hours down by the water in all types of weather: breathless sunshine, freezing rain & snow, and the cool air of fall, it never gets old. It is the hidden treasure of Conn and not a lot of students venture down there – making for a great thinking spot.
Fun Facts:
- I love the ocean and anything that has to do with the ocean: swimming, boogie boarding, sailing etc.
- If I could do anything in the world for the rest of life, I would be pretty content teaching ski lessons in Colorado during the winter and Argentina during the summer months.
- My family and friends mean everything to me.
Spirit animal: Lilly Pulitzer
Like many Camels, you frequently dress like you are stepping out of a Lilly catalog! Can you pick a favorite item in your closet?
The dresses my mom designs and sews for me are my favorite because they are one of a kind and customized just for me! My Barbour jacket is my go-to Fall item paired with a J. Crew popover top. It’s a family tradition to get one as a freshman in college.
Tell us about Conn Coll Skate!
I am pretty competitive with myself when it relates to skating, so I love that I have the freedom to skate when I want. Often, no one else is there because we all have different class schedules. Also, I thoroughly enjoy volunteering during the winter season with the Learn to Skate Program for local New London and Groton kids! It is such a great way to give back to the community.
During your first three years, you were a member of the women’s rowing team. What do you hope for the team this year?
Rowing has been the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my college career, and I am wishing my teammates an amazing season filled with sweat, hard work, and success!
Among all of your numerous activities, you are always working out! What keeps you motivated?
I have a lot of energy and love to be outside! Working out helps me mentally prepare to attack all my school work, and it’s a great way to take out frustration! The gym feels like home to me.
Any favorite Conn classes or professors?
CELS biology with T. Page Owen was great – he really wanted you to do well in his class! Religion and Public Life with Professor David Kim was the most challenging and rewarding classes I have ever taken and highly recommend it! Lastly, Professor Zakriski is the go-to professor in the psychology department!
In your opinion, what is so special about your major?
As an athlete, I am very interested in sports psychology, and the psych department has been awesome allowing me to pursue my interests! During my sophomore year I conducted a study on the types of anxiety athletes suffer from with the help of the women’s and men’s lacrosse teams! My research was published last year as a junior. I am hoping to continue with my research this year.
How was your summer internship experience? Are you working anywhere this fall?
My summer was full of incredible opportunities… In June, I was honored to attend the NCAA Career and Sports Leadership forum with fellow camel Heidi Halsted ’15. We were among the top 200 athletes across the Division 1, 2, and 3 playing field and had the opportunity to network with head athletic directors and truly understand the dynamics of leadership and what it means to be a college athlete. We even got our own NCAA Leadership business cards! I spent the rest of my summer working with high school juniors and seniors at Tabor Academy for the second summer in a row – helping them further develop their ability to lead and communicate with one another and campers! Lastly, I am interning at Pine Point this Fall, a K-8th private school in Stonington, CT.
What is one thing you have not checked off your Conn bucket list yet?
I have not gone sledding in the Arboretum yet which is a must do this year.
As a graduating Senior, what advice would you give to underclassmen?
- Get to know the other freshman in your dorm during the first few weeks of school, they may turn out to be your best friends 3 years later! #The Bee for Life
- Take at least 2 classes that are out of your comfort zone. You will never know if you like them or not if you do not try.
- Your freshman roommate(s) may not turn out to be your best friends for life but learn to respect and cohabitate with them! They are your freshman roommate(s) and together you will survive your first year!
- Try something new, join a club, try out for a sports team, or get involved with OVCS (Office of Volunteers for Community Service) because it will make your college experience way more memorable and you will meet some awesome upperclassmen!
- Build a working relationship with 1 or more professors each semester: go to their office hours, ask them to join you in Harris for a gourmet lunch, or even go for a nice walk in the arboretum! Professors love when students make the effort to reach out and it shows that you really care about what you are studying!
How do you feel about being Campus Cutie?
It’s such an honor and a great way to start off Senior year. Thank you.