Winter is over, and Spring has arrived. We are saying goodbye and congratulations to two of our Her Campus grads! Good luck to Hayley Gjertsen and Courtney O’Keefe as they head off into the world beyond college! Congrats ladies!
Name:
Hayley Gjertsen
Courtney O’Keefe
When are you graduating?
H & C: March 19th, 2016
Hometown:
H: Everett, WA
C: Mill Creek, WA
Major:
H: Communication Studies
C: Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations
Minor:
H: Psychology
C: Sociology
Favorite part of your time at Western:
H: Making unforgettable memories with my friends
C: Meeting new and very diverse people, broadening my outlook on life
What will you miss the most?
H: Learning something new and expanding my mind every day in class
C: Sitting on my couch with all my roommates and laughing about all the funny things that happen on the weekends when we go out with all our friends.
Can you recall something that happened to you Freshman year?
H: I actually didn’t transfer to Western until my Junior year. Community college was not as exciting as being at a university! I am so glad I transferred to Western.
C: My friends and I found a house party address on YikYak and went…we didn’t know one person but pretended like we belonged. Haha.
If you could go back in time, what would you do differently during your WWU time?
H: If I could go back I would have played more intramurals, for sure!
C: Not live in the dorms on campus.
What was your favorite year at Western?
H: Senior year!
C: Senior year because I finally turned 21 and could go downtown with all my friends.
What was the hardest year?
H: The first two quarters of my senior year were the hardest because I was juggling an internship at the same time as a heavy course load.
C: My workload senior year was CRAZY. I spent 12 hour days on campus nearly every day of the week to keep up on all my homework and studying.
What was your favorite class?
H: I can’t pick just one! My favorite classes were Emerging Communication Technology, Fundraising, Cultural History of Media & Identity, and Communicating Masculinities.
C: Sociology of Deviant Behavior with Jen Lois.
Favorite late-night snack?
H: Canned peaches
C: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice cream.
Where is your favorite study spot?
H: When it’s time for a long study session, I go to AW and push two comfy chairs together and prop my feet up for hours haha
C: The sky bridge in Academic West.
Are you going to live in Bellingham after graduation?
H: I am going to live in Bellingham for the spring, but I am moving back to Everett in June.
C: My lease goes until September 1, so I might be here until then!
What’s your favorite movie?
H: Step Brothers.
C: Christmas with the Kranks.
Who do you look up to the most?
H: My Mom
Do you miss the dining halls?
H: I miss the sandwich station, the ice cream machine, and warm cookie night!
C: Only warm cookie night.
What advice do you have for someone graduating next year at this time?
H: Enjoy yourself and have as much fun with your friends as you can before life gets more serious!
C: Have fun! Go out and make funny memories to laugh at later! “The best memories come from the worst decisions.”
What did you want to grow up to be when you were little?
H: I wanted to be a Veterinarian when I was little. Now I don’t think I could handle seeing sick and hurting animals!
Do you know what you will be doing after graduation?
H: I am sticking around Bellingham until June, and then I am going commercial fishing in Alaska for part of the summer. After that, I’ll look for a big kid job!
C: I’ve applied for a couple jobs and I have two interviews coming up, but as of now, no.
What advice do you wish you could tell yourself as a freshman?
H: I would tell myself that you’re going to do a lot of growing up in the next few years, and don’t stress too much because everything always works out in the end!
C: It’ll get better… haha you’ll make friends and you’ll end up loving Western!