From left to right: Paola Zelaya-Deras, Natasha Elder, and Aleena Rosenzweig
Figuring out which college is right for you isn’t always an easy decision. One way to get a better idea of whether a college is a good fit is to read stories of real students. Current students provide valuable insight into the student experience, which can help you in the decision-making process.
In today’s blog, we’ve interviewed three Meredith students so you can get an inside look at what it’s like to live and learn at Meredith.
Meet the students:
Natasha: “My favorite class this semester is my voice lesson. I am looking forward to continuing my vocal skills and continuing to progress my singing.”
Paola: “My favorite class this semester is the new finance elective being offered, Introduction to FinTech, Cryptocurrency, and AI in Finance. It’s exciting to explore how AI is transforming the finance industry and to learn about emerging investments like stocks and crypto.”
Aleena: “This semester, I am really enjoying Ceramics, which is very time-consuming; however, it is so much fun! I really enjoy working with Professor Fischer and value her thoughtful critiques, especially knowing she is a practicing artist who demonstrates what she teaches through her work and the meaning behind it. I am looking forward to continuing the duality box project and learning how to throw on the wheel.
I also enjoy Engineering Challenges & Ethics because it has truly widened my perspective and encouraged me to think outside the box, something that is just as important as following the rules of calculus. I am especially excited about the hands-on projects. Both classes are similar in that they help us gain real-life experience and promote personal growth through creativity and independent thinking.”
Natasha: “I spend most of my time in my apartment or on an athletic field or track. I play field hockey, and I run track and field.”
Paola: “As a senior accounting major, I am often in Harris, the business building. It’s where most of my classes are held, and it’s also a hub for student organization meetings. I also like to study in the student lounge between classes. It’s a productive space.”
Aleena: “As a STEM major, I spend most of my time in the Science and Math Building. This semester, I am taking courses such as Calculus, Computer Programming, and Engineering Challenges & Ethics, so I am frequently in that area of campus.”
Natasha: “The best place for me to study is in the quiet of my own apartment. I like my alone time to recharge. My apartment is the best place to hang out with friends as well. I love to eat food, play card games, and chat with my friends in my comfy apartment.”
Paola: “I usually hang out with friends in our dorms or at the Cate Center, which is our student center. It’s a great place to meet up, grab coffee, or attend events. For studying, I prefer the library or an empty classroom. The library’s reservable study rooms let us work together while keeping the noise down.”
Aleena: “I try to maintain a strong balance between spending time with friends and focusing on my academics. As a commuter, the Cate Center is a great place to grab a snack and catch up with friends. I especially like it because it is close to the Science and Math Building and the Success Center, both of which I visit often. For studying, I spend a lot of time in the library. The individual study rooms are especially helpful because they allow me to focus and minimize distractions.”
Natasha: “The Office of Career Planning has been the best resource for me. Just last semester, I completed the Angels Suited for Success program, which was super helpful! I had a meeting with a few people in Career Planning, and they gave me some tips about my own personality and how to use it to my advantage and grow within my strengths.”
Paola: “The Office of Career Planning has been invaluable, from interview prep to resume reviews and networking. Their “Meet the Firms” career fair helped me land my current internship.”
Aleena: “There are a ton of great resources at Meredith; however, my favorites are the Student Success Center and the Learning Center since they have been the most beneficial for me. My Success Coach has been amazing in helping me to stay organized by planning my week, prioritizing assignments, and managing my time effectively. The Learning Center has also been incredibly supportive through tutoring and testing accommodations. Being able to work with peer tutors, students who have had the same teachers and learned the material in the same way, has made concepts much easier to understand. Along with this, the scheduling process and accommodations have always been flexible and supportive of my needs as a student.”
Natasha: “I am most proud of accomplishing a few things on the sports teams on which I participate. I came to Meredith in my junior year and earned MVP of the field hockey team in 2024. I also became captain of the field hockey team in my senior year.”
Paola: “Becoming president of Angeles Latines, our Latinx student organization, during my sophomore year. I’ve worked with amazing executive boards to host events that celebrate and support our Hispanic and Latinx students. Hearing how the organization helped others feel at home on campus is something I’m truly proud of.”
Aleena: “I am most proud of the hard work and success I have achieved since starting at Meredith. As a small school, Meredith truly focuses on its students, and I see that support every day. I would not have been able to reach goals such as earning strong grades and being in the Honors Program without the encouragement and resources Meredith provides. Through this support, I have grown not only academically but also personally. Meredith has helped build my confidence as a student and empowered me to achieve more than I initially thought possible.”
Want to read more about our students? Check out our Strong Stories.
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Office of Admissions
1st Floor, Johnson Hall
1-800-MEREDITH
(919) 760-8581
(919) 760-2348
admissions@meredith.edu