Her Campus Hollins: You are a double major in English and History, are on the three year track, studied abroad in London, are an honor student, have the second highest grades in your year with a 3.98, and you are a former RA. In addition, you are currently working on two writing projects. Anything I’m missing?
Becca Rowe: I’m also on J-board and I’m in [Batten Leadership Institute], doing Capstone. . . BLI is something that’s not for everyone. You have to be a certain kind of person. I know plenty of amazing and strong women who don’t do BLI. You have to like to be pushed and [get feedback from others about what you’re doing].And I like being pushed and I like [hearing what others think of me].
H.C.H: It goes without saying that you are very busy. What is a glimpse of what you are up to?
B.R: Research and writing, thesis, graduate school prep, studying for the G.R.E – the SAT of graduate school. And trying to find time to relax and make time for friends so I don’t go crazy.
HCH: On a similar note, what does a typical day look like for you?
B.R: 6:30: wake up, work out, get ready for the day, write 1000 words a day for my book, breakfast, study, class, lunch, class, study, dinner, study, relax.
HCH: What is the book about?
BR: There are two main projects. One is fairy tales in modern Texas and the other is about an orphan girl who finds out about this magical other universe, next to ours, in which she is a princess. Her parents brought her to our universe to protect her. It’s about her becoming a princess and trying to figure out how to survive.
HCH: Neat! What are the top 5 favorite things that you’ve done at Hollins?
BR: 1: Traveled abroad. That was beyond amazing.
2: Traditions. Tinker scares and first step – and all the traditions that make [Hollins] a community and not just a school. But . . . I love everything here.
3. Ring Night
4. Freshman Rafting Trip, oddly enough, . . . [because] it was something I’d never done before and it really was a bonding experience because I was scared out of my wits and you had to cling to the other girls [to stay in the boat] . . . Not that I plan to go rafting again soon.
5. The fall balls – especially the one 1st year. There was an 80s theme and music and it was so much fun.
HCH: What is your favorite way to de-stress?
BR: Listening to music and writing. Also T.V. I love T.V. I love inserting myself into [the worlds]. I like to take myself out of my own life and step away [for a bit].
HCH: When you think of a perfect day, what would it be?
BR: Honestly, all my family being here so I wouldn’t have to pick between Virginia and Texas. Just being with them, maybe playing board games or watching sports.
HCH: What advice would you give to ambitious and not so ambitious girls?
BR: Don’t be afraid to ask your professors for advice on anything . . . -laughs- Well, at least anything academic. Also, put yourself out there, you may fall flat on your face – lord knows I have – but even the fall is fun and it’s better than being bored.
HCH: Biggest lesson you’ve learned?
BR: Everything is going to be okay. No matter how bad things seem, it will get better, with the help of friends and family. And grades aren’t everything. Still learning that one. Getting there.
HCH: What do you want to do with your life?
BR: Grad school, doctorate in English. Children’s literature at the college level, Preferably somewhere in Texas.
HCH: The big question – tell me about your thesis?
BR: I’m looking at the difference between characterization and setting in Post Modern Young Adult retellings of Sleeping Beauty. In particular, I’m focusing on the disparity between “fairy tale” settings of the past with heroines who belong in the 21st century.
For my history thesis, I’m looking at the causes of the Texas secession in 1861, paying particular attention to how the different regions in Texas reacted to the secession issue.
HCH: Now for something a bit less serious, what is your favorite movie and why?
BR: I don’t have one – I love all movies! But . . . Peter Pan, the live action one made in 2004 and the Princess and the Frog, just because while watching those, it’s easy to believe in the magic of childhood still.
HCH: Why did you pick your majors?
BR: I’ve always loved reading and had an active imagination. I’ve discovered recently that what I want to do and who I am can be summarized in “I am a story lover,” and these two majors allow me to read all kinds of stories – history is one long story – all day long and it is the greatest thing ever.
HCH: Which two books – fiction and non fiction – would you recommend?
BR: I don’t know the last time I read a non fiction book . . . other than secondary sources, of course. . . Beka Cooper, Terrier by Tamora Pierce and for non-fiction . . . why not . . . it’s the only one I can think of . . . Waking Sleeping Beauty by . . .Roberta Trites.
HCH: And . . . favorite Disney character?
BR: Merida. . . Because I see myself in her. Of all the Disney characters, I feel like I AM Merida.