Major: Economics and Finance with a concentration in Data Analytics

Email: sondraslepski@gmail.com 

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Questions about Academics and COVID-19

 

What were your classes like in your first year or in your major/concentration, especially transitioning from Shen? 

Shen did a great job preparing me for the first year of college. Most of the classes I took my first year were just general courses that everyone at UofSC had to take, as well as first year business requirements. Some of the college level business courses at Shen exempt me from taking some of the difficult first year required general business courses, like College Financial Accounting and College Principles of Marketing.

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What academic experiences have stood out to you at your college in either positive or negative ways?

Going from Shen to a SEC school 800 miles away from home was a big transition for me as my class sizes ranged from 70 students to 500 students. This created a lot of responsibility and independence during my first year that I never had in high school. I had to take it upon myself to go to office hours and connect with my professors for help.

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How was your online learning experience at your college? What resources did your college provide you during this time?

UofSC made it so we could pass/fail any class we’d like due to everything shifting online. However, it depended on the professor as of whether or not they made the online learning experience easier. Some of my professors did a great job with the transition while two of my professors did not do anything to help students out.

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What did your college do well or poorly to support students and communities when COVID-19 first hit?

The University of South Carolina did a great job communicating to students about what was going to happen in the future with COVID as well as when COVID-19 first hit. They have a system implemented for the fall that caters towards students who are high risk and towards students that need face to face instruction, as most classes will be face to face and live streamed.

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Questions about Student Life

 

If students are interested in your major/concentration, what extracurricular activities do you recommend they do at your college?

I am apart of the Women in Business Council, Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, and Mountaineering and Whitewater Rafting club. I highly recommend joining a business fraternity or any greek life, as it gets you get connections to other people interesting in the same fields or just any clubs they may be interested in.

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What are common things to do on weekends? Do students commute back home for the weekend or are there events on campus?

There are so many free activities at USC and 40% of the student population is out of state so not many people go home on the weekend. Saturday’s in the fall revolve around football!

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Are you involved in athletics at your college? How do you balance sports, academics, and extracurricular activities?

I’ve done intramural basketball and intramural beach volleyball. It is very easy to balance it into my schedule.

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Do you have a job during the school year, or is it common for students to have on-campus jobs? What is that experience like?

I have not held a job during the school year but it is very common for students to have on campus jobs and I know many people with them and it’s very easy to get one.

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Extra Questions

 

What advice would you give to current Shen students when applying to your college?

Apply early and put effort into the application.

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What makes your college special to you?

The University of South Carolina is truly my second home and there is so much school pride. The University is very accommodating and I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.

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What do you wish you knew about your college when you were a senior at Shen?

Going far away for college is harder than it seems. It will take some time to transition.

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Before COVID-19, what was the housing like at your college? What would you recommend to Shen seniors to find their roommates?

Only first-year students live in dorms. There are a lot of apartment style dorms for first year students and I do not recommend staying in one of those. In terms of roommates, try not to room with people that already know each other/ or are best friends.

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How is the financial aid situation at your college?

There are a lot of merit based scholarships for out-of-state students.

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