This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Iowa chapter.
The only thing Megan Hopkins, 19, loves more than her temporary home here in Iowa City is her hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. This sophmore studying Psychology and Sociology here at the University of Iowa who loves staying active has taken up rock climbing as a new adventure. Get to know more about Megan in the interview below.
What’s the best part about living in Iowa City?
My favorite part about living in Iowa City is the culture. I love the relationship between the city and the University. It is all so interconnected, and it makes you feel like you belong here.
What do you wish you would have known freshman year?
Going into freshman year I wish I would have known that you won’t be great at everything. I excelled in high school and went into college thinking it would be the same. Then I took Statistics, and it was not my cup of tea. I didn’t do well, and for a while I got really down on myself because of it. But I learned that its okay to not be great at everything, and one exam, one class, one final is not going determine your future. Don’t stress the little things.
Unfortunatley, it’s midterm season. How do you deal with the stress?
Midterm craziness.. hmm.. I guess I just take it one test at a time. I try not to get too overwhelmed because when you psych yourself out like that, it is harder to do well. Also, and it might all be in my head, but right before every exam, when I am sitting in the classroom, I do a Sudoku. It gets my brain going, and I’m convinced I do better on exams because of it.
What’s the most underrated restaurant in Iowa City?
Most underrated restaurant.. Basta. I don’t get to go there very often because it is on the expensive side, but its my favorite. It is pretty underrated because most college kids can’t afford it, but whenever my parents are in town it is my go-to.
Let’s say your walking to class, headphones in. What are you listening to?
What’s the best part about Fall in Iowa City?
Hawkeye Football is the best part about fall in IC. Personally, I don’t really get into the sport itself, but watching the city and the University come together is so neat. Walking to Kinnick Stadium on game day and seeing the sea of gold and black makes you feel like you are part of something much bigger than you.
The weather is definitley changing along with the color of the leaves. What’s your go-to fall outfit?
Leggings, a tshirt, and a pullover. I’m always about that comfort life. I also wear my Chacos until I absolutely can’t. I’ll wear them until its 40 degrees. I swear by my Chacos. But when It gets too cold, then I switch to my Sorrel boots, which will be the only shoe I wear all winter, until it gets warm enough to start wearing my Chacos again.