Emily Baker, Class of 2024
Why was it important for you to attend college?
It was important for me to attend college because growing up, I was fortunate enough to have been educated by amazing teachers. Thanks to my experiences with my former teachers and my love for helping others, I knew that I had to become a teacher in hopes of providing future generations of students the same experiences that I had as a child.
What has been the greatest challenge so far in your college experience?
The greatest challenge I have faced so far is also the thing I am most grateful for- and that is learning how to be truly independent. I am the baby of my family, so I always had someone there to catch me when I fell. Now that I’m living on campus by myself, thanks to COVID, I don’t have that immediate cushion anymore. Yes, I stumble and fall, but I have learned how to pick myself up and keep moving forward.
What has helped you the most so far in college?
While I am learning how to be independent, I am still lucky enough to have a wonderful support system and I encourage every incoming freshman to notice their support system and be grateful. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have them. A person can only do so much to help themselves and I have learned that in order to succeed it is crucial that you ask for help, even when you think you’re okay. By reaching out to my family, friends, and even former teachers, I have been able to balance my academics, social life, and keep my mental health in check- all things that I have discovered to be very important in college. They say, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and I am eternally grateful for my village.
What are your career goals?
I hope to get my Elementary Education degree and help as many kids as I can. I want to aid them in not only getting the academics they need but also provide them with morals and experiences they will always treasure. “Treat people with kindness” is a phrase that I try to live by daily and I believe that if we teach the importance of kindness at an early age, then it is possible that we will see more empathy and acceptance in our future.
Outside of academics, what are your hobbies/extracurricular activities?
Ever since high school, I have become the biggest theatre nerd you will ever meet! I absolutely adore every aspect of the art, but there is no feeling better than the feeling I get whenever I perform on stage. It is thrill like no other! Participating in theatre has taught me so many life lessons and has given me some of the best memories I have created so far in my life.
How has being a first-generation student influenced you?
Being a first-generation student has influenced me by showing me that I can do anything. I have always been a stubborn and determined person so when I put my mind to something, it is guaranteed to get done. Being a first-generation college student was scary and intimidating; I knew going into college that I would be the sole provider of finances and every decision I made from orientation on was going to be on me. However, it was an obstacle I must overcome not only to prove to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to but also to prove to my family that they raised a very determined young woman who has her mind set on impacting lives of future generations to come. Also, I want to show my niece Ariella that hard work does pay off and that no matter what the circumstances may be, even if it seems like all the odds are stacked against her, she can do anything she puts her mind to.
What would you tell your first-year self now?
I would tell my first-year self to take in as much as you can and be extremely proud of where you are and how you got there. The first semester goes by quicker than you think it does, so enjoy all the free time that you have but take in all the memories you and your friends are making together. Also, you have worked so hard to get where you are today and you got yourself there, no one else.