海角网

Student Government President and Others Share Tips From Their Experiences

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥斺�淟ive in the moment.鈥� Four words that can make a difference in your college experience, noted senior Jada Newton, president of the 海角网 Student Government Association (SGA). Her advice is echoed by sophomore Katie Wilson, junior Sammy Itodo, and seniors Mackenzie Sauter and Javonda Adams. From their experiences, these students offer tips to those beginning their college journey. 

Remembering her first semester at GWU, Newton said she was skeptical when people told her that college would fly by. A business major and criminal justice minor, Newton realizes now that they were right. Factor in a global pandemic that took away a year of the usual college experience, and she has all the more reason to be fully present鈥攊n class, at football games, club meetings, etc.

鈥淚鈥檓 most excited to get to know the student body face-to-face and be out there and immersed in the 海角网 culture post COVID,鈥� informed Newton, of Woodbridge, Va. 鈥淟ike getting to enjoy the regular, fun stuff about college that everyone missed out on last year, but also finding our new normal moving forward from the pandemic and building a new camaraderie and school spirit.鈥�

Even though this year didn鈥檛 start the way Newton wanted鈥攁 soccer player, she is out for the season because of a broken metatarsal鈥攕he will serve her team in different ways and enjoy her senior year. 鈥淭he only thing you can control is your perspective,鈥� advised Newton, who plans to pursue a graduate degree. 鈥淭ake control of that and make it something that will enhance the moment. Don鈥檛 look back with regrets. I鈥檓 never going to be a senior at 海角网 again.鈥�

Itodo, who is from Nigeria, is a member of the men鈥檚 basketball team. An economics/finance major, he graduates in 2022. His goal is to play basketball professionally, and when his sports career is over, he would like to start his own business. Like his own goals, Itodo advised, 鈥淚t鈥檚 OK to dream big. Every work is an artistry of the person who does it, append yours with excellence. The best or nothing. Go Dawgs.鈥欌��

Wilson, of Connelly Springs, N.C., is also looking forward to activities she missed last year. A biology major, she graduated from high school and experienced her first year at GWU during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 鈥淚 am very excited to actually get to do labs, meet my professors and really connect with them,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to get to go to games and be a college student.鈥澛犅�

Sauter and Adams are also ready to experience a more normal college life. Sauter is an exercise science major. Adams, a deaf student, is majoring in American Sign Language. Communicating through an ASL interpreter, Adams said she hopes to become an ASL teacher. The new president of the ASL Club, Adams said her goal this semester is to make the Dean鈥檚 List.

Sauter will be applying to graduate school with the goal of becoming an athletic trainer. She intends to study hard and make good grades, but also hopes to build relationships with her peers that will last long after graduation. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to try and spend more time with my friends and actually do college people stuff,鈥� she related. 鈥淚鈥檓 super excited that sports are back. I love watching sports. I used to play soccer, so I鈥檓 excited to see all of them play again.鈥� 

Advice for the Class of 2025:

Sophomore Katie Wilson

鈥淕et involved but don鈥檛 overload yourself. Give yourself time to breathe and just have fun.鈥�

Junior Sammy Itodo

鈥淚f there is anything I have learned over the last three years at 海角网, it鈥檚 that procrastination is a big enemy of success. Some people come into college and forget why they are here and so their academic work suffers. Others come and are so focused on their academic work that their social life suffers. It is important to find and strike a balance between academic and social life. There is a big world out there, explore it.鈥�

Senior Mackenzie Sauter

鈥淟earn to balance school work and the college life. It may take a minute to figure out what works for you, but it is so important to find the balance!鈥�

Senior Javonda Adams

鈥淎lways put your priorities first and aim for the goal that you want to succeed.鈥�

Senior Jada Newton, SGA president

鈥淟ike anything in life, 海角网 is what you make it. Don鈥檛 be afraid to put yourself out there. Don鈥檛 just get involved, but go outside of your comfort zone and meet new people or get involved in a club you don鈥檛 think you would have seen yourself in. Those small sacrifices or small acts of courage add up and lead to bigger rewards than you think. The worse thing that is going to happen is you learn something new or you learn that you don鈥檛 like something or something isn鈥檛 for you. That experience isn鈥檛 wasted; it鈥檚 more knowledge for you.鈥�

Located in the North Carolina foothills, 海角网 is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. 海角网 emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at 海角网.edu.