Borrower Profile #2
Lauren
Age: 23
School Attended: Kent State University
Year Started: 2006
Year Graduated: December 2010
Major: Nursing
Degree Obtained: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
ON NURSING SCHOOL
Describe the school you attended:
Kent is a big, state school. It’s not exactly urban, but it’s definitely not rural.
What other schools did you consider?
I considered Western Carolina University, but after being recruited to play soccer there for several months, they got a new women’s soccer coach, so that didn’t work out.
What sold you on Kent State?
I loved that it was a large school with a lot of opportunities. I also liked that it’s 45 minutes from where I live, so I wouldn’t have to worry about getting home if I needed to.
Describe your general college experience:
I was extremely busy. Between school and soccer my schedule was always full. Lots of practices, study sessions, meetings, working out, etc.
Describe your living situations each year of school:
Freshman year I lived in the dorms. Sophomore year I moved off campus into a duplex with a friend. Junior and senior year I lived in an apartment with two of my soccer teammates. One was a pre-law major and the other was in physical therapy school. We all were serious about our studies, so living together worked out really well.
When and how did you choose your major?
I decided after my first semester at Kent. I knew I wanted to do something in the medical field. I was torn between pre-med and nursing school. After talking to several doctors and nurses, and researching both professions, I decided nursing was right for me.
Describe your course of study:
Nursing school is extremely intense and very time consuming.
What was your favorite class?
Anatomy and Physiology. I had a great teacher and we had supplemental instruction from former students. Plus I really enjoyed the material we covered in that class.
What was your least favorite class?
My least favorite class was the last class I took: Nursing Research. It was an online class, but we had a lot of group work. I didn’t like a few of my group members. We were all different years in school and I actually had to chew this one kid out for not doing any work. Also some of us were commuters and some lived on campus, so that made it hard to work out meeting times.
Were there any aspects of nursing school that you found especially challenging?
The tests were very different from any tests I had ever taken. Not only do you have to know all the material, but you have to be able to apply it in different ways.
Also, deal with other nursing students took some getting used to. Most nursing students are Type A personalities, and can be very negative when they’re stressed out (which is all the time). Eventually I found some classmates that I worked well with and that helped tremendously.
Were there any “hidden” costs to nursing school?
Yes, several! Gas money to and from rotations, uniforms, vaccinations, tests (ie: tuberculosis test), various other nursing school fees, parking, medical equipment, just to name a few.
During my first year of actual nursing school I had over $1,000 in unexpected expenses.
What were your rotations?
There were eight rotations: Critical Care, Labor and Delivery, Psych, Geriatrics, Medical Surgical, Community, Basic Interventions, and Pediatrics. I loved Community, and I also liked Labor and Delivery a lot.
What personality traits do you have that make you a good nurse?
I’m very caring and compassionate. I enjoy helping people. I also give a lot of attention to detail. And I don’t mind the sight of blood!
Do you have any advice for students who are going to nursing school?
• Stay positive
• Be organized
• Study a lot but take time for yourself too
• Find a good study group
Did you work while you were in school?
No. Between school and soccer I didn’t have time for a job.
ON BEING A DIVISION I STUDENT ATHLETE
How did you balance school and soccer?
Ha … um, divine intervention?
I got up early when I was on soccer trips and studied in the lobby of the hotel. I didn’t go out on Thursdays with everyone else. I studied every weekend. It took a lot of commitment.
Describe your experience playing a NCAA Division I sport in college:
PRESSURE PACKED. It was very different from any soccer I had ever played. Freshman year especially was a huge adjustment for me. Luckily my class was great and we got through it together. I also battled through a lot of injuries throughout my career, and that was very difficult.
What are some of the positives of playing a NCAA Division I sport?
Having part of my tuition paid for was the best part. You also get treated a bit more “special” on campus. I made some great friends that I’ll have forever.
If you had it to do over again, would you still play soccer in college?
That is a hard question to answer. It was an extremely taxing experience, but one I wouldn’t trade for the world because it was a major character building experience. Let me just put it this way: I wouldn’t trade it for anything, but I would NEVER want to do it again.
Do you have any advice for students who are considering playing a sport in college?
Talk candidly to other athletes who have done it. Don’t believe everything you hear on recruiting visits. It’s nothing like high school sports, so you need to be aware and be ready for that.
ON STUDENT LOANS
When did you take out your first student loan?
2006, my first year of school.
What is your current debt total?
$30,000
How much is Federal and how much is Private, and what are your interest rates? Also, what companies service those loans?
Federal = $20,000 @ 2.48%, Direct Loans
Private = $10,000 @ 3.59%, Great Lakes
Did you have a cosigner on your private loan?
Yes, my dad cosigned for me.
What is the status of your loans at this time?
I graduated last month (December 2010) so my loans are in the grace period until June 2011.
How do you feel about your student loans?
I just want to pay them off ASAP!
Compared to the amount most of your peers owe, would you say your debt is higher, lower, or the same?
My debt is definitely less than most of my peers.
How do your peers seem to feel about student loan debt?
They feel very negatively about them. They get stressed about how they’re going to pay them off. But then again, nursing students get stressed about everything, so….
Did your school offer you any guidance throughout the student loan process?
No. Zero guidance.
Final question – now that you have a nursing degree, what are your plans for the future?
I want to travel the world! I’m thinking about joining the Air Force.
Okay, thanks so much for letting me interview you, Lauren! Best of luck with everything!!
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