Day in the Life with College Students

Centenary University is more than just a college campus. It's a delightful community where students coalesce to meet and greet each other. Whether students are here for athletics, academics, or student life, Centenary offers a supportive environment filled with many opportunities, including networking and being a part of organizations. With small classes, dedicated professors, and a variety of organizations, students have the chance to make strong connections, gain hands-on experience in their field of study, and participate in campus traditions.   

As a student here, I've realized many students are involved in clubs and organizations. As I got to know my fellow students,  many of them shared with me their experiences with daily hobbies and organizations, including frat groups, sports teams, student activities organizations, and the Equal Opportunity Program.   

I interviewed some students on campus, checking in on their college journey. I interviewed a freshman, sophomore,  junior, and senior, and they had some great words to say about their time here at Centenary University.   

First up, I interviewed Julian Alston, a freshman health and science major on the wrestling team and a member of the upcoming bowling club, Rolling Thunders.   

Hey Julian, I hope all is well. You're a freshman, and it's a new chapter for you. I want to know how your college journey has been going so far.  

So far, so good. I love my fall semester.  It was fun.  This semester is going well for me, having fun on campus and meeting new people. My classes are friendly.  People on campus are also lovely. I'm enjoying it so far.  

Are you a part of any clubs, organizations, or sports?  

I'm a part of the wrestling team. I'm the president of the Cyclone Tampa Gaming Club. I'm part of a chess club, volleyball, etc.  So yeah, I'm very involved on campus. And I can't forget the bowling club, The Rolling Thunders.  

So, where do you see yourself progressing as you continue your college journey?   

I still see myself wrestling and maybe becoming a Student Government Association board member, because I met people through the program. I'm a health science major, so I see myself pursuing a career being a scientist. 

What does a typical day for you as a resident here on campus look like?

I wake up, go to the dining hall, eat breakfast, and get ready for class everyday. Then, afterwards, I eat lunch and, in my free time, I workout and play video games and then eat dinner. I also go to wrestling practices when it gets scheduled.

My last question is, what career do you want to pursue when you graduate?  

I want to pursue a career in health science related, like a lab technician. I still think about it, but I do like science stuff, so it’ll probably be something related to the science field. 

Next, I interviewed Evan Flick, a sophomore majoring in musical theater and a member of WNTI.  

How is your college journey going so far?  

It's going well, not going to lie. The first semester was rocky, but I got through it. This semester is going well.  

What are you looking forward to during your  

junior and senior year?  

I'm looking forward to more opportunities involving theater. There will be so many more auditions now and so many more possibilities. It's going to be a lot of fun.  

What does a typical day for you as a resident here on campus look like? 

Well, it all depends on the classes. For instance, for me all my classes are in the afternoon. So, in the morning, I usually get up at 8 a.m., turn off my alarm, then go back to sleep for a solid hour.

I take it step by step. For example, step one I wake up, brush my teeth, step two I go get coffee. Then around 11 o'clock I go to Starbucks because that's when the meal change starts and that's when the coffee's cheaper. And then I go to class around noon.

When you graduate, do you see yourself pursuing a career in theater or doing something different?  

The theater is like jump-starting a car. You have to get the right timing but get the right timing for jumping a car anyway. It's like hopscotch. You have to make sure the rock lands in the right space. But if anything, it's just about patience, like waiting for your opportunity. And if anything, if it doesn't work out, worse comes to worse, I get another job.

Next, I interviewed Julia Sheppard, a junior majoring in psychology.   

How is your college journey going so far?  

My college journey is going well.  I started at a different school, took a gap, took a little break, and, then, returned as a sophomore here. So, yeah, now I'm a junior.  

In the future, what do you see yourself doing?  

I want to work in forensic psychology. You really get into the mind of criminals during their criminal sprees.  

Are you a part of any clubs or organizations here?

I am not part of any clubs or organizations. I've been looking into EOP, I live with a couple of the people from the dance team, and I'm updated on what happens in campus life because of them. 

My last interviewee was Osaivbie Igiebor, a senior majoring in theater.   

I know it's your senior year, and you're about to graduate. Before your chapter ends, I want to know how was your senior year?   

To be honest, it's been the time of my life, really. I've done things I never got to do before, and I've made so many friends here. I'm going to miss it. I made a lot of good memories here.  

What's your advice to any upcoming freshmen?  

Don't burn yourself out. When you get in here, worry about your academics at first, because you need to have a foundation. You need to have a good academic foundation grade-wise. Over time, if you slack on your grades and academics, it can stop you from being in many things, like other organizations, because a good GPA is required for many things. I started out strong with my academics. I had a good grade point average at the end of the first semester and, to this day, I'm still set because of it. If you have a good foundation, you can make mistakes later on in the future. And the foundation that you made at the beginning will take the blow of it.  

What does a typical day look like for you as a resident here on campus? 

You know, it's the usual. I wake up, get ready for classes and  eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some days are better than others. If I don't have class, that's good. In my free time I take the time to make sure all my assignments are on time. 

So, what are you looking forward to after you graduate?  

I'm looking forward to just the next part of my life. I like that it's unknown, that I don't know where I will be next because that's a great thing to have. You have the whole rest of your life ahead of you, your whole future. You never know what's next, what's in store for you, or where you'll be next. That's a great feeling to know. I sit back, thinking tomorrow's a new day and everything could change. 

Through my interviews with students, I’ve discovered that each individual has a unique approach to balancing their college schedules and pursuing their career aspirations. Despite these differences, a few key lessons stood out. Success often comes from staying consistent, advocating for oneself, and pursuing life and career goals with unwavering passion. By embracing these principles and following the heart of their dreams, students can overcome obstacles and achieve their fullest potential.