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Jessica L. Stroup

Jessica L. Stroup

I chose my major because … physical therapy as a career is not just a job; it is also forming relationships with patients and trying to help them make their lives better. I chose a major for a career where I could feel good about what I am doing and I know I will work hard for it. 

My favorite class or professor at NIU is … Señora Gliesman’s conversational Spanish 211 class. In this class, I learn the art of conversation in Spanish through writing short stories, performing skits with a partner in front of the class and researching and giving presentations. The instructor is a native of Mexico and she teaches the class new words, phrases and manners that I have never heard of before and would not learn from any other teacher.

My favorite thing to do on campus is … participate in social activities such as intramural sports, going to concerts at the Convocation Center or walking to Mango’s for a smoothie with my roommate! There are so many different things the university offers its students, and it is up to us to take advantage of them!

Outside of the classroom, my favorite thing at NIU that really enhances my experience here is … the Health House. I lived in the Health House at Lincoln Hall for my entire freshman year, and it really helped me to get involved and meet other students. Almost all of the students in the Health House are in health majors such as nursing or pre-physical therapy. It is really helpful to know other students in health majors because we can help one another with difficult chemistry classes. There are also lots of activities through the Health House that I can involve myself in, such as dine and discusses, field trips and other social events. 

When I have free time … I like to go to the Recreation Center to work out or spend time with friends. 

One thing I wish I knew about actual college life before I got here is … how difficult it is to actually adjust. I never really thought about how much my life would change until my first week at NIU. The first few weeks were very difficult and uneasy for me, but once I started meeting people on my floor and becoming involved in organizations and activities, college life became much more comfortable.

One positive thing I have learned about myself since coming to NIU is … when I have a goal for something I really want, I go above and beyond what is needed to achieve this goal. Also, taking the initiative to talk to my professors and advisers has greatly benefited me.

If I was guaranteed success … in my major, I would be so relieved! I would still work very hard in order to obtain all the information and knowledge I would need to pursue my career in the future. 

After graduation, I plan to … enter the master’s program for physical therapy. After I finish the master’s program, I will begin practicing physical therapy (in my hometown of Rockford, Ill., I hope) and go back to school to earn a transitional doctorate degree in physical therapy after I have been working for a couple years.

The one NIU experience I will always remember will be … my University 101 class.  This class was recommended to me by my orientation adviser. Throughout this class, I met other freshman who were also in health majors. I learned how to help myself adjust to the university and how to handle my classes. I was informed of social events, organizations and services offered by the university. I leaned important dates and things I should be doing to keep myself on track. I was so glad I took this class, and I would recommend it to all new freshmen.