Hi! My name is Taylor, and I’m a freshman majoring in Leadership and Management at Rutgers Business School. I’m originally from a small town about an hour away from Rutgers, but I dorm on campus and am pretty much always here! A few small things about myself: I love hiking and camping! My most recent trip was to High Point State Park (highly recommend!!), and next up on my list is Mt. Tammany (if it’s not too crowded lol). I’ve always loved being creative, and I hope to someday turn that passion into starting my own business. When I’m not in class, you’ll probably find me working out at the rec center, studying at Alexander Library, or hanging out with my friends. I’ve also developed a few little routines here that I absolutely love, like going on runs along College Ave to see the horses or stopping by the farm stand on Fridays. They’re small things, but they’ve honestly become some of my favorite parts of being at Rutgers. Coming from a small town, I was initially a little overwhelmed by how big Rutgers was. I worried about meeting people and finding my place, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how quickly I’ve started to feel at home. I’m still discovering new things about Rutgers myself, which is part of what makes being here so exciting! I’d love to share my experiences with you, answer any questions you might have, and hopefully make Rutgers feel a little less intimidating. Whether you’re curious about classes, dorm life, making friends, or just what it’s actually like being a student here, I’m happy to talk about it!

Hometown

Wanaque, New Jersey

Major(s)

Leadership and Management

Minor(s)

Entrepreneurship

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Since I am a freshman, I have not gotten around to joining clubs or organizations yet. In all honesty, I put a large focus on my studies and course load this semester so I’m hoping I can get around to that soon. I plan to join the Entrepreneurial Society and the Companion Animal Club.

Describe your college experience

My transition into college was nothing like I had expected, but in the best way possible. Being an introvert and someone who mainly kept to themselves throughout high school, I was terrified of coming into college and struggling to make friends or find my niche. However, Rutgers quickly proved all of my expectations wrong. Starting with Welcome Week, I was introduced to SO many new people, many of whom quickly became friends. Between attending the Involvement Fair and participating in various activities throughout the week, I had the opportunity to connect with students from different campuses and all walks of life. I had anticipated the process of making friends to be much more difficult, especially since I never considered myself the most outgoing person. To my surprise, Rutgers made it feel almost effortless. There were so many opportunities to get involved that I found it difficult to imagine not finding somewhere I belonged. Whether it was through joining a club or simply attending an event on campus, there always seemed to be something going on and someone new to meet. Coming from a small town, I was both astonished and slightly overwhelmed by the sheer number of opportunities available to me. Suddenly, I was surrounded by more people and possibilities than I had ever experienced before. Along with that came a newfound sense of independence that I hadn’t really experienced in high school. Something as simple as navigating the bus system by myself or being entirely responsible for keeping track of my assignments made me realize just how different college was going to be. As intimidating as that initially seemed, it was also incredibly freeing. For the first time, I really felt like I was taking my first steps into adulthood and learning how to navigate the world on my own. I arrived on move-in day fully expecting to feel homesick and completely out of my element. I had convinced myself that I would spend the first few weeks counting down the days until I could go home. Yet, here I am, approaching the second week of October, and I can confidently say that I couldn’t have been more wrong. Rather than yearning to go home, I find myself surrounded by more friends than I ever imagined having. I’m genuinely excited to attend my classes and even more eager to see what else Rutgers has to offer me. In such a short amount of time, Rutgers has gone from a place I was terrified to call home to somewhere that genuinely feels like my second home. If these first few weeks have taught me anything, it’s that sometimes the experiences you’re most afraid of turn out to be the ones that change you for the better. I couldn’t be more excited to see what the next four years have in store for me.

Tip for future students

My first piece of advice would definitely be to get involved! Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and pursue opportunities you wouldn’t normally see yourself participating in. Open your mind to new ideas, new people, and new experiences, and most importantly, remember to give yourself grace. Not everything is going to be picture-perfect, and that’s okay! College is such a transformative period of your life, and it’s important to give yourself the time and space to figure out who you truly are, what you’re passionate about, and the kind of person you want to become. Don’t let fear or hesitation hold you back from trying something new, because you never know what opportunities, friendships, or experiences you might miss out on simply because you were too afraid to take that first step. I think one of the most valuable parts of college is the opportunity to connect with your community and discover new things about yourself through the people you meet and the experiences you share. At the end of the day, you don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Just be willing to put yourself out there, embrace the unfamiliar, and make the most of the opportunities that come your way!

Favorite class

My favorite class so far has been “Logic, Reason, and Persuasion”. I am extremely intrigued by learning why humans reason the way they do, how the brain processes information, and even why we hold some beliefs for our lifetimes with no clear reason why. Learning about how the brain processes and stores information has been fascinating.

Career goals

Although I am still exploring the specific direction I would like to take in my career, I have always been particularly drawn to entrepreneurship and the possibility of starting my own business. I consider myself a natural leader, often taking the initiative to organize tasks and coordinate group efforts. I value independence and creativity, particularly the freedom to explore my own ideas and bring them to life without the limitations of someone else’s vision. I am especially interested in the interpersonal aspects of business, as I believe the qualities and capabilities of a leader can significantly influence the overall success of an organization. Throughout my time at Rutgers, I hope to continue expanding my knowledge of business while discovering which areas I am most passionate about. I also intend to seek opportunities, such as internships and leadership experiences, that will further my personal and professional growth while preparing me for my future career.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal free night would definitely be spent with my girlfriends, especially on one of those perfect fall evenings when the weather isn’t too hot or too cold. We’d start the night by getting ready together, picking out cute outfits, and heading out to dinner, preferably somewhere on the water where we can enjoy the sunset and good food. Our go-to is usually Double-AI, where we can enjoy sushi and an amazing waterfront view. After taking a ridiculous amount of pictures at dinner for Instagram, we’d head to a drive-in movie theater, making sure we have comfy pajamas ready and the trunk stocked with blankets and pillows. Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without heading back to my house for a girls’ sleepover, where we’d probably end up talking and laughing until we pass out. In my opinion, the best nights are spent making memories with my favorite people, even when the plans are as simple as getting dinner and catching a movie.

High school or secondary school

Lakeland Regional High School

Favorite spot on campus

My favorite spot on campus is the field next to the Ruth B. Adams building on Cook​/​Doug. I consider myself more of an outdoorsy person so this is the perfect spot for me to lay down my blanket and read a book or study.