Name: Courtney Vega Simoncelli
Year: Freshman
Major: Marketing
Relationship Status: Single
Hometown: Litchfield, Connecticut
Courtesy: Courtney Vega
Her Campus (HC): What are three words to describe yourself?
Courtney Vega (CV): A little overly-emotional, balanced and sassy. (It’s true!)
HC: What is a random fact about yourself that not very many people know?
CV: I used to be (and still kind of am– let’s be real) a crazy obsessive One Direction fan. I still love them, but between freshman and junior year I saw them perform live five times, camped out on the streets of NYC in mid-February to watch them on the Today Show, stood in line for 16 hours to get tickets to a shows and even met Harry Styles by finding out what hotel he was staying at and booking a room there with my friends. It was absolutely insane.
HC: What is your favorite song to listen to right now?
CV: I have “That’s How I’m Feelin’” by Ciara blasting on repeat pretty much at all times.
HC: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
CV: I can’t decide if I want to be married with kids or jet setting the world in my private plane. I guess we’ll see what happens.
HC: What are your career goals?
CV: I’ve always really wanted to be a stylist. Right now, I’m studying marketing and my plan was to become an international marketing consultant. However, I’m considering changing my major to something in fashion or possibly retail merchandising.
HC: Who’s your spirit animal and why?
CV: Hands down Chanel from the Cheetah Girls. Or maybe early 2000s Britney Spears.
HC: What are you involved in, either on or off campus?
CV: I am a sister of Alpha Chi Omega, which I love, especially because it has helped my transition into college and has made so far away from home a lot easier. I’m also a part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), where I obtained an assistantship researching child developmental psychology. I am researching what factors influence why some children like to read more than others, and at what point in development children begin to have the desire to read.
Courtesy: Courtney Vega
HC: What’s the best thing about being a sister of Alpha Chi Omega?
CV: I was so skeptical about joining a sorority when I first started college. I honestly was just going to rush to see what it was all about, but I hadn’t completely had my mind set on joining a sorority. When I went through rush, I felt so comfortable at Alpha Chi and I just felt like I belonged there. I’m so glad I trusted the vibes I felt and accepted my bid there. Being from Connecticut, I came to this school knowing absolutely no one. Alpha Chi Omega has helped me to meet so many people, some of who have already become some of my best friends. I know there are common stereotypes regarding sororities and I always thought they were overrated, but now I can see the real value behind them.
HC: Why did you decide to attend Florida State?
CV: My plan was always to go to school far away from home. I just wanted to start over completely fresh and be surrounded by new people at a new place. I was having a hard time deciding between a few schools, but Florida State has a great business program and offered me in-state tuition so it ended up all falling together perfectly. Not to mention the weather in Florida is amazing (especially compared to Connecticut) and the scenery is so beautiful. I’m amazed even just walking around campus. I feel really lucky to be here!
HC: What’s it like being an out of state student?
CV: At first it was very hard to be so far away from home, especially because I’m an only child and I’m so close with my parents. All of my friends stayed relatively close to home, and I often wish I too had the option to go home whenever I wanted. But I have adjusted to life here at Florida State, and now I absolutely love it. In fact, I went home for the weekend recently and I actually felt homesick for here. It’s nice to know that I have two places now that I can consider my “home.”
Courtesy: Courtney Vega
HC: Any advice for incoming freshman?
CV: It is so important to give it time. For my first few weeks here, I was miserable because I was unbearably homesick. I was genuinely considering transferring somewhere closer to home. Everyone kept telling me to give it a chance and assured me that it would get better. Of course, they were right, because after those few weeks I realized how much I actually love it here. I am so glad that I didn’t make a rash decision and transfer. You have to trust that you made the right decision and that you can handle the ups and downs that come transitioning into college.
HC: What do you like to do in your spare time/what are your hobbies?
CV: I sing and play the piano (but never in front of people). I also like running or going to the gym to workout. I also nap a lot!
HC: Name one thing you can’t live without.
CV: Totino’s pizza rolls. (It literally took me half a second to answer this, those things give me life!)
HC: Do you have a favorite quote or life motto?
CV: You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.