Today, we speak with Josiah Bell, a freshman electrical & computer engineering and computer science double major from Pemberton (Burlington County), NJ, who lives on campus in Holly Pointe Commons. Josiah will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof.
Name: Josiah Bell
Majors: Electrical & Computer Engineering in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, Computer Science in the College of Science and Mathematics
Minor: Mathematics in the College of Science and Mathematics
Year: Freshman
Hometown and County: Pemberton, NJ (Burlington County)
Resident: Yes – Holly Pointe Commons
Academic clubs: Leadership Rowan, First-Year Leadership Involvement Program (FLIP), Student University Programmers (SUP), IEEE
Athletic club: Fencing
Social clubs: Rowan University Chi Alpha the Christian Organization
Do you work on campus? Yes, I do a Federal Work Study for the Engineering Resource Center. Through the work study I gain major access to tools and resources I never would have had access to. I also receive the opportunity to gain a great educational understanding of things I only get to do through the work study. I complete tasks based on my strengths and interests, and I learn too.
Why did you choose your major? I really enjoy designing and developing projects and programs. Throughout my high school career, I had the opportunity to know two great teachers who taught engineering and computer science. They guided me and mentored me every step of the way, and I learned a great deal from them. And for the mathematics minor, I’ve just always had a grand love for mathematics.
One reason why you chose Rowan? The Engineering Program. Rowan University’s Engineering Program is phenomenal, and it is what attracted me to apply.
My typical day as a Rowan student:
A typical day as a Rowan student … does such a thing even exist? Every day here is much different than the last, and it can get frenzied most of the time. But that isn’t to say the days here are bad, quite on the contrary, they are jam packed with excitement. There are always events and clubs to go to, people to hang out with, assignments to procrastinate, and sleep to be lost. I’m joking about the procrastination, you learn quickly here that it doesn’t bode well.
I have a pretty hefty schedule as a first semester freshman taking 18 credits, all 8:00 a.m. classes, working a job on campus, having 2 majors plus a minor, and being an active member in Rowan University Chi Alpha, a Christian organization on campus.
On Mondays and Wednesdays, I wake up at the crack of dawn and meet with friends from Chi Alpha to pray from around 6:30 to 7:30 before I head out for my 8:00 a.m. Intro to Digital Systems class. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I sleep in a little more before getting up for my 8:00 a.m. Linear Algebra class (Mathematics gets crazy when you come in having Calculus I, II, and III already completed). On Mondays, my classes go from 8:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. with only two short breaks for breakfast and lunch; Tuesdays, classes go from 8:00 – 6:15 with one short break from 12:30 – 1:45 for lunch; Wednesdays, my classes go from 8:00 to 6:15, with my job in the Engineering Resource Center in between; Thursdays, my classes go from 8:00 to 3:15, with two short breaks, and then I help set up for Chi Alpha around 5:00 p.m. until it starts, which is around 8:00 p.m., and it ends around 10:00 or 11:00 p.m.; and Fridays I don’t have classes, but I usually have meetings for clubs.
If there is anything that I recommend as a student, it is to try to have Fridays completely off. It is a blessing and a life saver. Also, when I’m not in all of those classes and not doing assignments for all of those classes, I am enjoying the company of friends at events or even just hanging out.
When I’m not busy with schoolwork, I’m having a blast with all of the events that go on here, and I’m enjoying the great memories I make on a daily basis with the people I’ve come to love. This University is absolutely wonderful, and because of it I have more than one new family.
The days here can consist of a lot of work, but they often to consist of joy and friendship. In this semester alone, I’ve hung out with friends more than I ever have before. I’ve even done things like go on a weekend trip to Nottingham Pennsylvania with Chi Alpha, or have a Thanksgiving dinner off campus with 20+ friends! I can truly say there is never a dull moment at Rowan.
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Related stories:
#PROFspective: Electrical and Computer Engineering Major Matthew Sambucci
Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, A Haven for Believers
#PROFspective: Computer Science Major Damen Tomassi
Story organized and photography by:
Vanessa Vause, junior public relations major and advertising minor