I chose Wayne State because of the financial options here and then just the community was very similar to where I grew up and I like that I chose physical therapy because my sophomore year of high school, I did some shadowing and just fell in love with it. And since then I've been involved in physical therapy clinics, and I've just expanded and kind of confirmed that's what I wanted to do. I knew that Wayne State was the right college for me, when I joined the cross-country team and track team. They felt like a family. And then I was also able to be active in the community. And I just knew it was right [during my] freshman year.
I feel like our professors at Wayne State set up labs in a way that is very hands-on, whether it's anatomy or some of the applied sports, human and physiology labs, they really make the classes, hands-on based and it's great for learning opportunities. So I'm a biology major and one of my favorite subjects was anatomy. I feel like there's just so much you can learn with it. There's always something you don't know. And that's one of the classes I've really enjoyed here. When I came as a freshman. I honestly wasn't that scared. I knew a lot of people that already went here and I felt like the staff and just other students were very welcoming and friendly. So I definitely had nerves as a freshman coming in, but they didn't last very long.
I felt supported just through my professors. I feel like they truly care. They kind of know when you're having an off day, and they can see that as well as my coach and athletic trainers. I feel like people do notice and care. I think some of my favorite things about the Wayne community is just [that] it's a very friendly, clean community. I like to just be outside, walk the trails, ride bikes, just be active. I feel like Wayne State has prepared me because of all the opportunities that are available. I feel like the professors are good about advising you and kind of pushing you but not pushing you too far.
I would say Wayne State has helped me grow as a person just through being a student-athlete. I've had to learn time management. I've had jobs in the community, I feel like I've really strengthened my communication skills. So my plans after graduation are hopefully to attend UNMC in Omaha. I'll have three years there at the physical therapy program. And then I'd like to come back somewhere in northeast Nebraska and work as a physical therapist. The scholarships that have been provided to me through Wayne State have really allowed me to kind of have less stress and feel like I can focus more on my classroom work as well as I just feel supported through them and that people want me to do well.
