Hi! I'm Anna, a general management major in the Wall College of Business. For me, home once was Monmouth County, New Jersey, but now it's CCU! I came here not knowing anyone or the area, but my love for summer weather and the beach won me over. I love exploring and trying new things along with making new memories. I am always down for a bit of spontaneity. You might find me taking a walk around campus, studying in a dining hall, or taking a yoga class in HTC. I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have about CCU or listen to any concerns. Picking a college is a huge decision and I totally understand that. While I love it here, my top choice was once the University of Vermont. So, if you have anything you want to discuss, or are just wondering what the best study spots on campus are, feel free to reach out!

Hometown

Matawan, NJ

Major(s)

General Management

Clubs, organizations & involvement

First Generation Student Initiatives (+ mentoring program); One Love CCU Chapter; Women in Business Organization

Describe your college experience

My transition to college way very smooth on account of the fact that I do truly love it here. I feel that the campus traditions such as Welcome Week work effectively to help students transition into college in a way that keeps them engaged and out of their dorms instead of sitting around and getting homesick. While I traveled about 10 hours to go to school here, I genuinely feel right at home on this campus. Academically, I feel advisors and professors are extremely approachable and understand that freshman students have not yet been to college, meaning that they are accommodating and forgiving. Socially, I have gotten very close with my roommates and they have really become my best friends, though I have also made some great connections around campus as well. I feel it is also notable to mention that my bond with my family has not wavered, and I would say I spend a decent amount of the time on the phone with them, which helps as well.

Tip for future students

My biggest piece of advice for any incoming student would be to try and find what works best for them as far as keeping track of assignments. Personally, I have a spreadsheet for my upcoming work, but my roommate prefers a physical agenda and feels that works better for her. No matter what that may look like for a person, having a place that they can see their due dates is truly game changing. I know some people think they'll remember, but as schedules change from day to day in college, it is so easy to forget. Sometimes a professor will only say it once and it then becomes your responsibility to know. Don't let assignments you didn't know you had drag your grade down. Another important piece of advice is to join clubs. Plural. I believe everyone should sit down at the start of the fall and scroll Coastal Connections searching for what organizations they might be interested in. Go to the interest meetings. You might not love every one, but that is how you figure that out. For example, I was really interested in the CCU Serves community service club, but learned much of their events did not align with my calendar and are off campus while I do not have a car, so I decided this was not the club for me. However, I did fall in love with the three organizations I am currently apart of and hope to get more involved next year as well.

Favorite class

My favorite class thus far, though it is not for my major, is IDS190. This interdisciplinary studies course has a focus on social media, and during class time we discuss various topics under this umbrella and the various perspectives and lenses within them. I find it very engaging and thought provoking along with the fact that the concept of social media is very relatable for most students within the class. Also, the idea of interdisciplinary studies as a whole is very interesting one that I feel benefits me by changing how I look at topics in every field.

Career goals

After college I hope to get a job in talent management as that is what I am genuinely passionate about. I am aware of my opportunities to get internships through campus resources, and seeing as my major is general management, I plan on taking advantage of these opportunities to try out other aspects of the field and see what really resonates with me. At the Career & Internship Fair, I spoke to an individual from Waffle House, who provided me with plenty of information about their management job placement, including the offered progression within the role. This was honestly very interesting to me, so I am now considering that as well.

Ideal way to spend a free night

I would say this depends greatly on the day itself. Some nights, my roommates and I will go on little adventures, whether it's a whole night out to Top Golf or a small late-night Teal Mobile trip to Cookout. I truly cherish these days as these are the moments where memories, inside jokes, funny photos, and overall connections are made. That being said, I am definitely not opposed to an evening that includes nothing but takeout from Hicks, some self-care, a bit of Netflix, and my bed.

High school or secondary school

Matawan Regional High School

Favorite spot on campus

My favorite spot on campus is Lib Jackson Student Union. I will often go there, sometimes with friends, to study and complete work. I love the view of Overton Park that can be seen from the Rotunda, and having CINO Grille right there is great for a little bit of mid-study motivation. With that, I feel like I also have to note that the pond by HTC is another favorite spot of mine as I love to watch the sun set over the water most nights.