By Amanda Tolentino
Reporter
It’s quite a load to juggle: West Monroe, La., senior Courtney Fewell is registered for 16 credit hours, which competes for her time with Honors Program requirements and membership in the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, of which Fewell is the president.
Fewell said managing her time was a challenge for her, but she stressed that being proactive helps to avoid procrastination.
“The biggest struggle is trying to stay on top of things,” Fewell said.
She said the key to helping her manage her time efficiently is to keep a planner of everything she needs to accomplish.
Fewell, an English major, is a member of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core and is in the process of finishing her honors thesis on the Puritans, a four-chapter project. Fewell said each chapter is 15 pages long.
In addition to her other responsibilities, Fewell is working on her last chapter, which is due in mid-October.
Once she edits her chapter, she will then defend her thesis.
“At the end of November three professors will ask questions and rate how well I do,” Fewell said.
Fewell said her greatest reward has been satisfaction stemming from the completion of her thesis.
“With it being three-fourths of the way done and receiving good grades, it’s good knowing all my work is being paid off,” Fewell said.
With a hectic schedule, Fewell takes one day of the week to de-stress by catching up with friends. She said her fondest memories include being involved in her sorority, where she has met the majority of her friends.
Fewell said she believes her dedication to school and extracurricular involvement will advance her hopes of graduate school, both by improving her resume and adding to her skill set.
Fewell said her sorority involvement has helped her learn proper public-speaking skills, and her work on the thesis project has conditioned her to remain dedicated during long hours of reading.
Athletes can also have a strenuous schedule as well.
As a member of Baylor’s equestrian team, Magnolia junior Hilary Tandy balances practice with her duties as the medical-discussions chair in the American Medical Student Association.
Her duties include running the organization’s biweekly newsletter, leading monthly ethics forum discussions and preparing a speaker event once a semester.
Tandy said staying prioritized helps her stay focused, which in turn helps her maintain grades.
“I have three calendars I use to plan out every day,” Tandy said. “I set easy-to-accomplish goals for myself every morning when I wake up.”
Tandy’s studies take an average of 20-30 hours a week, but she said taking classes with friends helps her focus on studying.
Tandy said she hopes her leadership positions in the American Medical Student Association will help her get into medical school.
“I like being able to stay busy and in-tune with Baylor,” Tandy said. “I get a rush from accomplishments.”
Seeing friends on the weekend and having a relaxing night at home helps Tandy de-stress from her busy week.
Plano senior Samantha Walsh is recruitment information manager for Alpha Delta Pi and a member of Phi Theta, a physical and occupational therapy organization.
As a neuroscience and pre-physical therapy major, she works 12 hours a week in a research lab.
Walsh’s day begins with 8 a.m. classes or work, depending on the day, and continues until she finishes her sorority obligations in the early evening.
“I typically do all my homework during the weekend,” Walsh said. “That way I will have more time to study or go to float hours or recruitment dinners.”
For Walsh, her academic duties come first.
“It’s hard so say no to friends,” Walsh said. “Being a science major I can’t do everything that I want, but I have to prioritize saying no.”
Walsh prides herself on maintaining good grades; she recently received the opportunity to interview for physical-therapy school.
Walsh said her sorority keeps her busy, but she doesn’t see it as detrimental.
“If my sorority didn’t feel like home, I wouldn’t devote as much time as I do to it,” Walsh said. “All my duties keep me busy so that I will not procrastinate.”
Being involved in community activities during her college years has helped Walsh become more professional and sociable, she said.
Walsh said her extracurricular activities have developed her skills at handling difficult situations as well, and she would not be as capable without being involved in all the activities.
