Laura Kline is a sophomore here at the University of Minnesota who recently got accepted into the Kinesiology major and is planning on minoring in Nutrition and Neuroscience. A down-to-earth soul, Laura practices her life based on her philosophy of exploring passions and taking every opportunity granted to her. She believes by following these two values, you can become a more well-rounded person. As a former Welcome Week leader, she has created a place for herself on campus and has made a way for others to do so as well. Here’s a window into the mind of Laura that others can most likely relate to and appreciate:
Q: What is your best memory at the University of Minnesota?
A: Any time with my roommates when we’re just all home and laughing, and we’re just joking about things and staying up too late. It really makes you feel like you have a place.
Q: What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
A: The Rec where I study a few times a week or in between classes, or at the library.
Q: What activities are you involved in on campus and how have they enhanced your experience at the U?
A: I was a Welcome Week leader. I helped students learn more about the University and it helped me feel more comfortable here because if I’m able to convey knowledge then I really know it. I also was in Knitting Club my freshman year, though I don’t knit or crochet, but it helped me build relationships with the people I lived around.
Q: How have you contributed to your community at home, on campus or both while attending the U?
A: On campus I definitely contributed with Welcome Week; it was my way of giving back. At home it was hard, I still worked and visited many of the local places, but other than that it was difficult to stay involved at home due to the distance. I do try and stay connected with my family, I help my little sister with her homework through facetime and help her to be successful. Also, by working at the daycare in my community, I am still impacting the lives of the children I have known, some of them since birth. I can be a role model to them. I’m actually friends with pretty much all of their parents on Facebook and a lot of them liked my status when I declared my major. I like to know that they support me here and when I come back when I can support them.
Q: What are you passionate about and how do you reflect those passions in your life?
A: I’m passionate about making people feel comfortable with who they are and encouraging people to put themselves first. I usually suggest people to take naps and a break because sometimes people get more caught up in things. Health—eating well, being active, being mentally well—is so important. I’m also passionate about sports and the feelings that they bring. Sports are an aspect that sometimes people look forward to, or the players are role models for certain individuals. They’re also a chance to be competitive, it’s a fun, and it’s a way to work out that’s not just running. I’m a Blackhawks fan and I like to listen to the games when I’m doing homework. They’ve really helped me through some rough patches.
Q: What is your dream job or your future aspirations?
A: I want to be an athletic trainer, to be involved with sports and help people through those outlets. My goal would be to make sure teams put their health before the sport because so many times athletes go and play and they’re not really ready. My dream job then would be working for the Blackhawks, if I had to choose a player, Jonathan Toews. I really admire the persona I see from the media, but he’s involved in healthy eating and mindfulness and a lot of things I really respect. Declaring my major made my journey towards my goal career start to feel very real! I am excited because this is really the beginning of my future. Because of my excitement, I know that this major and career path is truly right for me; which allows me to breathe a sigh of relief—I have found my place.
Q: What are you doing right now to work towards your future goals?
A: I’m working on my time management and I’m working on trying to find a balance in my life because so much of my thinking has been black and white. I’m finding that middle ground so I’m getting a lot done, but I still have time to stress and do the things I enjoy.
Q: Do you have a role model? If so, who are they and why are they inspiring to you?
A: My role model is my dad, especially now. He left his job because it was causing him stress, something I admire, putting his health first. He’s also been eating healthier and working out a lot which is lowering his blood pressure. He practices mindfulness, which is what got me into it. He’s also a hard worker and not a complainer, something I strive to accomplish.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
A: “Love yourself,” because it makes a huge difference in how you perceive yourself in the world. It encourages you to be active in your community and makes life so much more enjoyable. I try and follow this, but it’s something I’m constantly working at.
Q: What advice do you have for students who want to be successful?
A: Find your balance. Get your stuff done, but know that at the end of the day, things may not go your way. You shouldn’t sweat it though. Go get insomnia cookies or do something you enjoy on campus.
Q: Favorite inspirational quote?
A: “You miss a hundred percent of the shots that you don’t take.” —Wayne Gretzky
Just for Fun
Coffee order: French vanilla cappuccino from Tim Hortons with some kind of filled donut of some sort. We’re not counting calories, right?
Favorite food: Hamburger
Favorite song right now: Billy Joel’s “Only the Good Die Young”
One thing you can’t live without: Milk. I love milk, I go through a gallon by myself in a week, sometimes less than a week.
One thing you love about yourself: I like that I’m very adaptable, I take things in stride.
One thing you’re grateful for: I’m grateful for my family because they’ve been so supportive and they’re always there for me. I don’t know where I’d be without them.