Striking a balance is part of the life-long learning experience for a curious student
“When I first got to Grinnell, I decided I wanted to involve myself in every available activity and club. I wanted to run cross country, be in Model UN and Student Government, work 15 hours a week, volunteer at the animal shelter, and join a plethora of extracurricular activities. Oh, and maintain a GPA of 4.0.
“I did not actually remain in most of these groups; but I had the opportunity to experiment with all of them. By having to really narrow down what I was involved in, I learned which interests really appealed to me. Student life is the core of my college experience. Some of my favorite nights here at Grinnell have been studying with friends at the Grille.
“I have learned to balance the “three S’s”: schoolwork, social life, and sleep. I also discovered that for me to have balance I need a degree of imbalance. It is necessary sometimes to sacrifice sleep for schoolwork and schoolwork for social life. A degree of stress is necessary; it keeps me motivated and energetic.”
Kamila Berkalieva ’13
Oak Park, IL
As Kamila internalized the demands of a Grinnell education with her deep-seated sense of commitment, she honed her core interests with her practical needs. She enjoyed her conversations with alumni through her work on campus with the Pioneer Fund’s Phonathon. Kamila’s focus invests her campus experience with a richness for herself that magnifies with the influence she has on others.
