Choosing to be a Double Major
I chose criminal justice as my major because it is something I have been passionate about for years. In high school, I became more interested in true crime and cold cases, and that is where my spark begun which led me to my local career center during my junior and senior years in high school for the criminal justice program. During this time, my passion grew -- I realized how much I could help people and bring them closure. The curriculum here at Mount has opened my eyes even more; I didn't add psychology as a major till my sophomore year, and that's because after taking two classes, I realized how much I loved psychology too.
Advice to Prospective Students
Follow your heart. College is a big choice, and finding a place that matches your needs and comfort is very important. Visit multiple colleges (even if you fall in love with the first one like I did). Look at bigger schools, smaller schools, close to home, and far from home. Having a variety of schools can help greatly when choosing for a school because it can narrow down what you do and don't like. Being comfortable in your school makes the experience so much easier and enjoyable. Most importantly, do it for you.
Overcoming Obstacles
In October of my sophomore year, I ended up in the hospital with a saddle pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), which required emergency surgery. This kept me in the hospital for a few days, which meant missing school and softball. When it came to coming back to school, the faculty was very understanding and supportive. My mental health wasn't the best after this situation, and my professors were very accommodating when it came time to turn in work I missed and catching up on lectures. If it wasn't for the faculty and the support of my friends, I wouldn't have been able to bounce back as well as I did.