Written by: Tori Coopertoricooper

Growing up, I loved playing sports and eventually found a special passion for softball. As I continued to go through school, I found that I had a special passion for education as well. Ever since I was a little girl, I always said I wanted to do something in the medical field. Although the specifics of what I thought I wanted to do changed, my focus on being a part of the medical field did not.

During my junior year of high school, I went on a visit to the U of A as a part of the softball recruiting process. Upon learning more about the academic programs that the university offered, I found myself extremely interested in the field of Biomedical Engineering. I decided that the University of Arkansas was the perfect fit for me, academically and athletically. I had many people tell me how hard it was to be a student-athlete, and I also had many people tell me how hard it was to be an engineering student. I decided to take on both of these challenges.

My first semester on campus was humbling. I realized how important time management would be. My daily schedule started at about six o’clock in the morning, and on some nights, did not end until about nine-thirty. My commitments athletically included morning workouts three days a week and practice five days a week. Academically, I was enrolled in sixteen hours including labs that did not end until nine-thirty at night. My course schedule was rigorous with Physics, Calculus II, Chemistry, Sociology, and Introduction to Engineering. Nearly all of my spare time was spent studying. With softball season being in the spring, my schedule this semester is just as busy as last semester. Although my daily schedule is hectic, I am honored to be a part of the amazing opportunities the University of Arkansas offers academically and athletically.