Every month the VanCougar interviews a WSU Vancouver senior and asks them about their college experiences. In this installment of the column, we spoke with Stephanie Duling, an anthropology major.
Q: What is the hardest part about being a senior?
“For me, the hardest part about being a senior is navigating the next steps after you graduate. I feel like I am in a sort of limbo. Do I go straight to graduate school, or start my career, and try to come back later? I am currently leaning [towards] starting a job straight from college—I gotta get my hands dirty, you know. Capstone classes are also difficult, making sure that you finish all appropriate tasks and in a timely manner. Being a senior is like your last lap in a race, you can’t slow down, you have to speed up and finish strong.”
Q: Is there a person you met or a class you took that changed your life?
“Yes, it started with a class I took, Archaeology of the Americas—this really opened my eyes to a whole new career that I never considered before. This class shifted my entire perspective on everything I thought I knew. From there I met Dr. Grier, who has been a major role model and helping to shape my journey this far. He has provided me with so many opportunities to learn more about the archaeological field and gain hands-on experience. I never considered going down the path of archaeology, and now I can’t wait to get out there.”
Q: Have you enjoyed your time at WSU Vancouver?
“Yes, I have really enjoyed my time here. This has a lot to do with the instructors and their positivity. All the instructors I have had are so encouraging and I feel that they really do want their students to flourish and do the best they can. I have also appreciated the camaraderie of on-campus life. There is comfort in numbers and all students have a special understanding of each other, because they’re all going through it. When you can find a good group of people to study with, hang with, and vent with, it just makes campus life that much better. I will definitely miss the campus when it’s time for me to leave, but I will forever have fond memories.”
Q: If you could give a piece of advice to current and incoming WSU Vancouver students, what would you tell them?
“I would tell [them] to stay organized and stay ahead of schedule. Ask for help when you need it and speak your mind. Give the instructors true feedback that they can use to make the experience better for the next round of students coming in. Also, take advantage of all the campus has to offer, like joining clubs and attending events. The more involved you are, the more opportunities you will gain. The time will fly by and you won’t get another chance at the experience, so make sure to make it count.”
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your time at WSU Vancouver?
“My favorite memory from my time here at WSU Vancouver has been building real connections with other anthropology majors. As my time on campus progressed, I began seeing familiar faces in my classes, and over time those familiar faces became friends. They have had my back, and I hope they feel that I had theirs. We have been able to help each other through challenging assignments while also being able to bond over our shared passion for the anthropology field.”