Sophomore Reflects: Navya Kunigal Shares Tips and Her Top 5 Reasons She Chose Rowan

Rowan Boulevard at night.

Today we feature Navya Kunigal, a rising sophomore Community Health major from Hillsborough, New Jersey (Somerset County). Here, Navya writes about her on-campus, first-year experience and gives future Profs her best Rowan tips. 

As a freshman, I lived in Chestnut Hall, and I loved it! It is a wonderful dorm with so many wonderful people. I lived in a double by myself there.

Community Health major Navya poses in a Rowan shirt.

Get involved. I am [involved] on Rowan’s campus in so many different ways. I’m a member of the National Wellness Institute (NWI) (Rowan Student Chapter) and the Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC).

I am also part of the Get Fit program that the Health and Exercise department manages. Get Fit is a program where we help people with intellectual and learning disabilities and work with them to benefit their health. It is such a rewarding experience. I look forward to this every day of the week.

I am usually quite occupied on campus. When you get involved in stuff, you will never be bored, every day will be a new adventure.

Where to go when you first arrive on campus. When I first came to Rowan, I had no friends. The Chamberlain Student Center is a great place to meet people. Try to have a friend in every class so you have an additional resource other than the professor.

Rowan After Hours (RAH) is how I made most of my friends. Rowan After Hours has night activities every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Activities include cooking, arts and crafts, dancing and a food bar. Sometimes we play video games too. It is really fun, and it is such an easy and cool way to meet new people. Definitely, go to RAH!! 

Navya poses at a table at a restaurant.

Check out Rowan Boulevard! They have delicious restaurants and really cool places to visit. There are a lot of jobs on Rowan Boulevard as well. It is a really cool place to spend your time. 

The Rec Center has something for everyone. Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, you name it! They got it! I go to yoga there once in a while, and they have so many different levels and types of yoga. I go to beginner yoga and it is so calming. It releases so much stress for me. Definitely go to the Rec Center when you have a chance!

Advice for choosing a major: It’s okay to be undecided (Exploratory Studies) when you go to college! Rowan gives you a chance to explore and find what you’re good at. Always consult with your advisor before choosing a major. They can help you narrow down your choices. 

Moving in tips (do’s and don’ts): Moving into campus can be confusing, here is what to bring and what not to bring. 

  1. Enough clothes. 
  2. Hygiene products.
  3. Decorations to spruce up that room. 
  4. Shoes, of course.
  5. And some coats, for the chilly days.

These five things are mandatory to bring on campus — most importantly, shower shoes! 

What not to bring: 

  1. Candles, because they can set off fire alarms. 
  2. Not too many bags, they can cause clutter. 

Navya poses with her friend.

Five reasons why I love Rowan: 

  1. The people
  2. The buildings
  3. Diversity
  4. Kindness
  5. Friends 

I chose Rowan because not only was it a great fit for me, but it was a great experience being a freshman! I hope incoming freshmen have such a wonderful experience, too. Rowan had everything I was looking for and more. I cannot wait to go back and start a new chapter as a sophomore. 

Enjoy campus as much as you can! 

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Story and photos by:
Navya Kunigal, rising sophomore community health major

Organized by:
Rachel Rumsby, rising sophomore communication studies and public relations double major