TOP 3 THINGS ABOUT PURDUE:

1. BOP/SMM and the opportunities for professional development that go along with the BOP and SMM organizations
2. The prestige of a degree from Purdue University
3. The balance and excellence in both academics and athletics

FAVORITE ACTIVITY OR HOBBY:

Listening to music (R&B or Hip-Hop) or reading

FAVORITE CLASS:

English 420: Business Writing. I got the opportunity to really make a project my own and gained some great experience in project writing. I also had the chance to make a real impact on the greater Lafayette Area when my group received a service-learning grant from the University for a project that we were working on. We paired with a local non-profit and helped them to restructure and revamp their volunteer outreach efforts using the money we received from the grant. I gained a lot of valuable experience in the class and felt a deep sense of accomplishment af the end of the semester because I knew that my hard work was not only reflected in a letter grade but that I also positively impacted my community.

WHAT MAKES BOP SO SPECIAL?

BOP provides you with direction and a support system from the very beginning of your college experience that you cannot find anywhere else. You are given all of the tools and opportunities necessary to succeed at Purdue and into the future in your own professional aspirations. One of my favorite parts about the BOP program is the community. Everyone in the program, past and present, wants to see you succeed. I have found lifetime friends through the BOP program and secured my first professional internship through the opportunities and connections that I took advantage of while in BOP. Joining the BOP program is truly the best thing I have done for my future. Often imitated, never duplicated, BOP is hands down the best.

DESCRIBE THE LIFE OF A STUDENT-ATHLETE, AND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO MANAGE YOUR TIME: 

As a student-athlete, my college experience differs from many of my peers. It requires a lot of sacrifice and can be very hectic at times. Time management is crucial to be successful and is something that I am constantly wary of. If there is any downtime in my day, I try to utilize it to the best of my ability because there is always something to do. The important part is finding what works for you. For me I find that I need to be off by myself when I am doing homework and limit distractions so I can be as efficient as possible. The best advice I could give an incoming BOP student athlete is to stick to a routine that works for you. The other advice that I would offer is to keep things in perspective -- classes and your sport will undoubtedly get hard at times but if you remember why you are doing it and the benefits you will reap from it in the future, it makes it a lot easier to get through the difficult times.