In this Senior Spotlight, meet Tori Schilling, a senior from Smithtown, New York! Tori is a Secondary Biology & General Science Education Major in the Neag School of Education. Tori is an RA and is known to go “above and beyond to be there for her residents and does so successfully.”
What are your post graduation plans?: After graduating this year in May I will begin my Master’s program at UConn. I was accepted into the 5 year Integrated Bachelor / Master’s program through the Neag School of Education and I am very excited to get started with my Master’s program next semester! It’s crazy to think that next year I will be a Graduate Student at UConn! This has always been my dream and I’m so close! I have to keep reminding myself to not look too far ahead though and enjoy my time here while I still can!
What is your favorite UConn memory?: It’s so hard to choose just one memory as my favorite UConn memory! I would have to say my student teaching experience this semester at Mansfield Middle School is by far my favorite UConn memory. I have learned so much in such a short period of time. This has been the best, craziest, most amazing semester of my life and I will always remember it. I am so surprised by how quickly I have established a relationship with each of my students. My cooperating teacher has been so helpful and supportive and has really pushed me to learn and do my best. I’ve also learned so much about myself this semester and I will never forget this experience.
Why did you become a husky?: The first time I stepped on campus I knew I was going to be a husky. I went with my older sister on her college tours and when we visited UConn I knew this was the school for me. After researching the school more, I fell in love. Neag is ranked in the Top 20 public universities in the U.S. That was another reason I decided to become a husky. Being an out of state student and paying for school myself has been challenging, however throughout my four years here UConn has also provided me with endless reasons as to why I should stay a husky. I am a Resident Assistant at UConn which as been such a life changing experience and is one of the best jobs on campus. I have also had great advisors at UConn who have been wonderful and supportive. Dr. Campbell has been an incredible advisor and has been a huge part of why I am staying a husky.
What is your favorite place on campus?: Alumni Quad is my favorite place on campus. For the past four years, Alumni has been my home. I was a member of the Leadership Learning Community located in Eddy Hall for two years, the RA of that LC my Junior year and am now an RA in Watson my senior year. Alumni is such a great community to be a part of and I am lucky to have great Hall Directors, staff members, residents and friends in this area of campus.
What have you been involved in at UConn?: I am lucky to have been involved with so much at UConn! My freshmen year I was a member of the Leadership Learning Community and on the UConn Cheerleading Team. I have also been involved with tutoring clubs on campus such as Windham HS Tutoring and Horace Porter School Plus Program. I’ve been on an intermural water polo team, which was really fun! There’s always something new and exciting to do here. At one point I was even involved with the trampoline club on campus. This spring weekend I am dong bubble soccer! So I am not exaggerating when I say there is always something new and exciting to try here! This semester has by far been my busiest semester. I am student teaching full time, working as an RA, the RA advisor for Alumni Hall Association, working at the School of Nursing and on Saturday’s I work with a boy with Autism. I am always busy and sometimes it’s overwhelming but I am very proud of my accomplishments this semester. I’m also very lucky to have family, friends and a boyfriend who are always supporting me.
What will you miss the most about UConn?: I am going to miss the great friends, faculty and staff I have met here. It’s going to be hard not being able to see my friends everyday but we’ve already planned to visit each other this summer. I love the atmosphere here and how driven everyone is, it’s contagious really. I will definitely miss that too.
What was your biggest accomplishment while at UConn?: My biggest accomplishments at UConn have been my academic achievements. I always remind myself why I am UConn and that has always driven me to do my best. Making Dean’s List my first semester freshmen year was a huge accomplishment for me, which made me realize I can do this! That feeling has always been encouragement for me to do my best.
What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Stay true to yourself. Sometimes throughout college you’ll feel pressure to change who you are, and sometimes that can be a good thing. You’ll make friends who help you step out of your comfort zone. But also remember, it is perfectly ok for you to be yourself. Don’t get me wrong, try new things and branch out but also remember there is no one “right way” to do college so make it your own unique experience!
What is one little known fact about you?: My sophomore year at UConn I designed the UConn Road Warriors Chevy Sonic (that car that is parked outside of Gampel before games). There was a design contest and my design was chosen as one of the Top 3 and then students could vote for the winning design and mine won! I was presented with a giant check at half time during one of the men’s games at the XL Center. It was such a crazy experience!
Anything else?: I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me these past four years. I am so thankful to have supportive friends, family, faculty and staff in my life. Also, thank you to whoever nominated me to be spotlighted!