Major: Human Biology
Minors: Science, Technology, Environment, and Public Policy & French
Hometown: Sterling Heights, MI
In what ways would you say you have grown, or your mindset has changed, over the course of the pandemic and in light of recent events?
Before the pandemic, I was never really the type of person to be involved in politics. I wasn’t very familiar with much more than what I learned in government class, and while I hated what was going on, I felt like there wasn’t really anything I could do. The pandemic and all of the political turmoil that has happened during this time inspired me to find ways to get involved, and I went from barely knowing the basics about politics to becoming extremely passionate about it, learning whatever I could and getting involved in every way I can. I think that being involved in politics and activism as a young person is extremely important because our political system and climate affects pretty much every aspect of our lives, whether we realize it or not. It may seem daunting at first, but it’s not as hard as it sounds, I promise!
How do you stay organized and on top of things in the (new) online format of school?
Planning is definitely key for me. School is hard enough without the pandemic, and having everything online can make things a lot more overwhelming. Aside from synchronous classes and extracurriculars, I set aside time blocks for asynchronous classes, research, and other commitments throughout the week. When setting up classes and commitments, I also made sure to schedule everything so that I would have at least one day off during the week to do anything I might not have had time for, and if I got everything done already, to relax.
What is your preferred form of self-care? How does it help with stress or problems you might be having?
If I’m feeling stressed or burnt out, I’ll just close my eyes, pop in some earbuds, and listen to some music for a few minutes. It forces me to take a break and shifts my focus so that I can return to whatever I’m doing with a clear, refreshed mind.
How would you say you have changed from high school to/throughout college?
In high school, I didn’t realize just how stressed and unhappy I was. Looking back, I did so many things that I hated and held myself to an unrealistic standard. The pandemic caused me to completely rethink my priorities and question what really made me happy. As a college student, I feel like I have a much better sense of who I am and what I love. I used the time between high school and college to explore new interests, and I am much happier doing things that I am truly passionate about rather than what I think I should do or what everyone else is doing.
What advice would you give to your past self/an incoming freshman or high schooler?
Whether you’re in high school or college, put your happiness first, period. Don’t do it because you think it will look good on applications. Don’t do it because everyone around you is doing it. Don’t do it because you’re afraid that quitting will make you look uncommitted. Do it because you truly enjoy it and it is something you are passionate about, and cut it out if it doesn’t. Prioritizing your happiness will make a huge difference in the long run.
How is college the same as and different from how you expected it to be?
In high school, I had always heard that college is extremely rigorous and that college students didn’t have time to do anything outside of studying. While it is definitely a step up from high school in terms of rigor, I find that college forces you to manage your time a lot better, which gives you time to do what you love. I also hoped that it would be a chance for me to meet new people and start fresh, and despite everything being online this year, I’ve still been able to meet so many new people and explore new interests.
Do you have a favorite class at MSU so far?
I really liked FRN 320. It’s a French creative writing course, and it’s very different from a lot of the writing I did in high school French.
What is your favorite extracurricular activity and why?
I would definitely say Spartan Sur. I love the community and music has always been something that I’m passionate about.