Pointlife
Students compile a variety of resume-builders in college life
The Pointer
ataub87@uwsp.edu
All over campus, zombies with backpacks are carrying out their daily routine. Slinking to class un-showered and over-worked with a glazed look in their eyes and slippers on their feet, students are stressed out.
Told by Career Services and professors that future employers want us to be more than just “a student,” college kids may be stretched too far. Getting involved in student organizations, clubs, athletic teams, internships and externships on top of working, studying and getting good grades, Pointers are feeling the pressure.
“Some days balancing school with other things can be overwhelming,” said sophomore Breck Rooney.
As co-president for the student association of nutrition and dietetics, Rooney admitted a perk to being in a student organization is that it “looks good on a resume,” but he also said his motive for “some great experience for post-graduation” led him to his SAND position.
“Competition gets tougher every year,” said Rooney. “This puts a lot of pressure on students to not only do well in school, but to be involved in many other things.”
But being involved “takes up time, and time is valuable,” said sophomore Sami Smetana.
Smetana, who is currently involved in SAND and intramural volleyball programs on campus admitted that at times the pressure to perform well in school can be exceedingly stressful when mixed with extra-curricular activities.
Also scrambling for time is junior Drew Meinel, who is currently involved in cross country, track, club volleyball, intramural volleyball, lesbian gay bisexual transgender questioning club and students for health, athletics, PE and recreation club. Meinel believes his motives behind his involvement were mostly for enjoyment, but said the stress can really affect how he performs.
“With so much going on it can be hard to focus on school,” said Meinel.
But regardless of how many organizations, athletics, internships, clubs and the like that Pointers pile on top of their schoolwork in order to become more than just “a student,” they seem to make it work, one un-showered, over-worked, zombie-like day at a time.
