What is your major, and what are your career goals?
I am a sophomore and I haven’t quite decided my major yet. I am leaning towards a Psychology Major with a Gender Studies minor. However, my long-term goal is not to be a psychologist. Instead, I yearn to be a lay Midwife and work independently! That said, I am currently in a class called, “Philosophy for Children” where we are teaching at the MLK charter school in Springfield, MA. We’re teaching second-graders, and it’s a beautiful and uplifting experience. I truly see myself working with young children in a school-setting. So, my most recent long-term idea is to become an elementary school teacher for children with rough backgrounds, and to have a side position as a lay midwife. We’ll see!
Hometown?
I am from Huntington, Massachusetts.
What special day off would you add to the MHC calendar since we’re yet to have Mountain Day?
I would add a special Day of Relaxation. Where there would be meditation circles near the lake to practice correct breathing and centering. There would be meditative yoga on Skinner Green. Relaxation is so important in college. If you are stressed and off-balance, you can dig yourself into a deep dark hole that is hard to climb out of. A day of relaxation, with no classes, no extracurriculars, and lots of tea and self-centering activities, would create an opportunity for students and faculty to experience this tranquil feeling of, “everything is going to be alright because I am centered and ready for what life has to offer”.
Do you have any sage sophomore advice?
As a sophomore here at MHC, I have some advice for you. If you are not okay with something, SAY IT. If you are upset about something, TELL SOMEONE, and if you need some help with something, ASK. People here in the MHC community are loving, accepting, and come from all kinds of backgrounds. Everyone here has something incredible to offer, that’s why we’re here! There are so many helpful, wonderful people here for you on this beautiful campus, in this beautiful area, and on this beautiful day.
How do you balance the rigorous academic atmosphere at Mount Holyoke?
Balance is tricky. During my first-year here at MHC, I struggled with balancing my academics, my social life, my extra-curriculars, and my well-being. I was not getting enough sleep, therefore getting ill more often, and was trying to involve myself in too many extracurriculars. I understand that desire to want to be a member of ten different community service groups, and five musical groups, and three intergroup dialogues. The important thing to remember is to limit yourself to the amount of extra-curriculars and academics so that you can show all of your true colors in each group. If you are involved in too many things, then each group only gets to see and experience one little part of you. When you’re involved in a few excellent programs, you can really shine and express yourself in all the incredible ways possible. “Great things come in small packages!”
How was your Fall Break?
My Fall Break was wonderful! I went to a family fall festival with my parents, brother, aunt and uncle. It was super fun, and “artsy fartsy”. For me, this break was about spending quality time with my family, making up many lost hours of sleep, and putting my worries and anxieties about the year aside. This is what break is really for, a break from the stress, deadlines, and expectations. A chance to think, to take a step back and look at what an amazing person you’ve become by attending MHC.