This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Duke chapter.
Name: Simone Serat
Hometown: Hanover, NH
Year: Junior
Majors: Public Policy, Global Health
1. What do you love about Duke?
I always knew Duke would be challenging, but I didn’t realize it would challenge me every single day. Duke has challenged me as a person, as a student, as a woman and as a community member. I don’t think I would have gotten these experiences anywhere else, and I can definitely say that I’m more sure of who I am and what I believe as a result.
2. What is your craziest (appropriate) Duke moment?
My freshman year I organized my dorm’s haunted house for Halloween. It took months of planning and approximately a million volunteers. Anyway we did a lot of work with shadows and so we had to order a human mannequin – but since we were on a budget we had to order a life size blow up doll. One day I got an email from our Residential Coordinator about suspicious activity on our house account. So I had to explain to our RC why I had used Duke money to order a blow up doll. Jabari Parker came to the haunted house though, so I would say it was a success!
3. If you could only choose one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would you pick?
Uh cheese? Do I have to pick a type?
4. What was your first AIM screen name/e-mail address?
Simoneyiscoolest. I stand by it. Might make it my Instagram handle again. Follow me.
5. What music are you embarrassed that you like listening to?
Anyone who knows me in the slightest could tell you that I know the lyrics to every single Taylor Swift song. I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m embarrassed by my love for her, but I’m sure my friends are embarrassed to be seen around me when her songs come on!
6. Cats or dogs?
Dogs always and forever – I have two
7. Shooters or Devine’s?
There was actually a period of time where I was trying to get known as “Shooters in Sweats Girl” but it didn’t stick
8. Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it?
Simmony Cricket, Sea Monster, Simoney Baloney, the list goes on…
9. What are you looking most forward to about senior year?
Oh, geez. Honestly, the thought of senior year kind of terrifies me because Duke has flashed by. I guess I’m mostly looking forward to living with my two best friends, because we haven’t been together since freshman year. Sometimes I get so busy that it’s hard to see them! I’m excited that now I’ll get to see them every day.
10. If you could give incoming freshman (Class of 2020) one piece of advice about Duke, what would it be?
Try everything once (within reason)! I never would have had this incredible experience if I didn’t put myself out there and get out of my comfort zone. Duke can be a scary place at first but the more you embrace it the quicker it becomes home.