Photo by Sarah Bedore
If there was ever a person to tell you, it’s okay to take your time, it would be sophomore, Maisie Hiltabramd. Set to graduate in 2027, her extended time at UNE is a result of her Athletic Training major. After graduation, she hopes to continue her ice hockey career, either as a player or team trainer. She also enjoys volunteer work, like coaching and running admissions at the ice rink.
Despite her love for the sport, there was a time before UNE when she almost quit. Maisie explained there was a new coach who didn’t quite connect with the team, and in return there was turmoil. The drama got in the way of the sport and she lost the connection. But Maisie knew she couldn’t give up, so she did her best to move forward. “Your credits have not appeared yet so your season must continue.” Maisie exclaimes. Think of it like a Tv show, she came across an obstacle but kept going because she knew she had more to accomplish; the episode wasn’t finished. Maisie is currently nineteen due to a gap year, she took that year off to work but learned to be self sufficient along the way. It was a year full of opportunities that she says wouldn’t have been possible if the University wasn’t flexible with her education. After asking her if it was socially difficult to be older than those primarily around her, she stated, “It is what it is.” Maisie lives her life each day like a show with endless episodes. She values the choices she made and is grateful for the people and opportunities that are to come. She hopes to be a role model for those who need a little extra time to figure out the filler episodes and get on with the main season!
Photo by Nick Frongillo
I interviewed a sophomore to ask about some of his time management skills and if he had any advice for a nervous incoming freshman. His name is Theo Young and is currently majoring in business. I started off by asking him if he has gained any skills into how he balances his academic and social life. He said that he personally does not hang out with friends during the week which leaves him with a lot of time for his academic work and sports. He also said that with this if he does decide to hang out with his friends during the week he does not have a problem saying no because he knows he has the time allocated to stay on top of his academic work. I then asked him how he found his group of people when he first got here to the University of New England. He said the easiest way he found people to start hanging out with was by going to the club fair at the start of the year to find something that you are interested in. He said, “A lot of my friends now have either been from the rugby team or met through the team and once you find that group of people that enjoy doing what you like to do then stick with them.” He found it very nerve wracking to come to a new place but once he found that group he settled into the new setting which any of you can do too.
