Can you give an overview of your experience as a student athlete?
I came here in the spring semester of 2023, so everything was brand new, and I just kind of jumped straight into the team. I didn’t have a preseason because I was battling an injury and had also taken a gap semester. So, coming here, it was a lot of strengthening everything: my body, my mind, just all of it. My first semester, I took advantage of any opportunity I had to go home, to my safe space, to regroup and reset before coming back. Eventually, I found my groove, though. It’s been difficult, but also really fun. I’ve met some amazing people, and honestly, that's been the best part.
Why did you choose psychology as your major?
Originally, I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, or maybe even an author. But then some extended family issues happened, and I saw how much it was affecting the kids in our family. That really changed my perspective. I wanted to understand what people go through during stressful, even traumatic times, and find ways to help them. That’s pretty much what shifted me to major in psychology and minor in Youth in Society.
I think one of the coolest things about psychology is how it can be applied to your life—not in a way where you’re diagnosing yourself with this or that—but in the little ways it comes up and makes you think differently. That happened a lot for me during my freshman year.
Do you think psychology works well with being a student athlete?
Psychology has been a good major for me as a student athlete, and I honestly think that’s because of the professors. I’ve never had any issues with balancing classes and my schedule. My approach is to go to the professors right at the start, even if we don’t have a meet for a while. I introduce myself, explain my situation, and set that connection early. They’ve always been really accommodating and even interested, asking how the meets went, which makes me feel supported. I know some of my teammates haven’t had that same experience in other departments, so I feel really fortunate that my psychology professors have been understanding.
Being a student athlete and a psychology student work well together, but sometimes it can be a little frustrating! It’s almost like I have this background knowledge of how I’m thinking, and I know when my mindset isn’t the most productive. But when you’re in the thick of it as an athlete, you don’t always want to analyze yourself with your “psychology brain.” Sometimes I just want to say, this is how I feel, and this is how I’m acting—even though I know it’s not really helping me get where I want to go. But at the same time, knowing the bigger picture helps me find ways to reset and get back on track.
What advice do you have for other students about balancing the two roles?
Stay on top of your time management, figure out what routine works best for you, and lean on the resources that help you. If a planner works for you, use it; if something else helps, go with that.
What are some of those resources that have helped you?
Google Calendar was a big help for me at one point—just being able to see everything laid out. I’m also someone who likes to write out my day on paper. That helps me stay on top of things, but it also shows me when I’ve taken on too much. There have been times I’ve looked at my list and thought, this is impossible. I’d committed to so many things that I couldn’t give them the quality or presence I wanted to. That’s when I realized I needed to start prioritizing. For example, if track practice is non-negotiable and I have class, those are my big things for the day. Everything else has to fall underneath that.
Do you have any favorite MSU memories that stand out to you?
I think my favorite memories here have just been spending time with my friends. Like one time, my roommate and I wanted ice cream late at night, so we just hopped in the car and went. It’s little moments like that, and I really love that Michigan State has given me those opportunities.
Do you want to give a shoutout to anyone that's helped you at MSU?
Oh, yeah. My coach Yolanda Johnson has definitely kept me going. She understands my goal, and she's helped me to keep pushing for it. My therapist here, Doron Willis, has been really great, and he's given me some good insight on the psychology track. And then I’d like to shoutout my professors, too!