Jayda Cunningham, U'28
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What do you love most about being a student at Saint Mary?
What I love most about being at Saint Mary is that everyone is authentically themselves. There is no judgment, and I’ve also met some of the best people to become friends with here. I also love how small the community is; everyone knows everyone, and you don’t get lost in the crowd.
What are you studying, and what drew you to that field?
I am studying pre-nursing. What drew me to that field was my late grandmother's presence, taking care of her as her health declined, inspiring me to pursue a long-term career in health care. I honestly didn’t think that nursing would be my passion, but going through that experience taught me that giving back and taking care of others is the best reward life can offer.
What has been your favorite class or professor so far, and why?
My favorite professor so far has been Professor Paldino. She definitely keeps me on my toes when it comes to writing essays. She has taught me that, to become a good writer, you have to write about things you don’t like and read things that don’t interest you. She is the true definition of it’s okay to be uncomfortable, that’s how you know you’re growing as a writer.
How have you gotten involved on campus (clubs, sports, organizations)?
So far, in my first year at USM, I have not joined any organizations or clubs, but I plan to join some in the future.
What is a memorable experience you've had during your time at Saint Mary?
My most memorable experience is orientation week. It was definitely a week to remember as a transfer student who left from an even smaller school; it was a lot to process, especially being an introvert. It forced me out of my shell to talk and meet new people. It was fun to see new people meet others and returning students catch up with their friends.
How has Saint Mary helped you grow personally and academically?
As someone who always puts their academics first, it was reassuring to learn about the accommodations and resources available to me to help me stay on track. So far of being at Saint Mary, every professor I’ve had has made sure I had the tools I needed to be successful. As a shy person who is also very independent, I'm truly grateful to have professors email me or just come by in class to make sure I understand the material and to provide other resources to help me succeed. I'm grateful to know that they care about my education as much as I do.
What are your goals after graduation, and how are you preparing for them?
My goals for after graduation are to prep for my NCLEX, then, after that, I plan to be either a NICU nurse or a labor and delivery nurse. I also plan to return to school to earn my Nurse Practitioner degree and, from there, eventually open my own women's health clinic.
Do you have any tips or advice for incoming freshmen?
My advice to freshmen would be 1) Be disciplined, fun will always be there. 2) Do not procrastinate. 3) Go to class; missing class is only going to hurt you down the line. 4) Ask for help. Please take advantage of the resources provided to you. 5) It is okay to fail, don’t let it discourage you, just shake it off, learn from it, and move it to do better
What is your favorite campus tradition or event?
My favorite campus event would be Tuesday night bowling. I love going out for a fun night with my friends and making more friends at bowling. It’s a good time to decompress after a long day off classes, especially after having to start your day with an 8 am class. It brings back memories of my mom taking my brother and me bowling on weekends for family time. Bowling nights are nights I always look forward to each month.
How do you balance your academic responsibilities with your social life and extracurricular activities?
I balance my academic responsibilities with my social life by just prioritizing school, which isn’t hard for me. I am the type who, when it comes to things I want to achieve, keeps my main focus. Yes, I do take mental breaks and decompress, but I am in tunnel vision until I reach my career, that is the ultimate end game for me.