Today we speak with Alison Pelose, a sophomore health promotion and wellness management major from Clinton, Hunterdon County, who lives on campus in Robo. Alison will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she’s getting the most out of her college experience as a Rowan Prof.
Name: Alison Pelose
Major: Health Promotion and Wellness Management in the School of Health Professions
Year: Sophomore
Hometown and County: Clinton, NJ (Hunterdon County)
Resident: Yes, Rowan Boulevard
Academic clubs: Rowan IX President
Social clubs: Sigma Alpha Lambda national leadership and honors organization, sexual violence prevention committee student member
Do you work on campus? Yes, Rowan After Hours
Why did you choose your major? My whole life I have dedicated my time to helping others live a physically and mentally healthy life. I not only love being healthy, but I love helping others better their lives, and extend their lives. I picked this major because you get to help others while being in an open positive environment.
One reason why you chose Rowan? The first factor was that Rowan was close to home, yet it was mostly because it felt a lot like home. Out of most of the colleges I applied two Rowan was the only one that felt like where I grew up and that was comforting. I knew I really wanted to go to Rowan because it was the only school that my acceptance made me cry with joy.
My Typical Day as a Rowan Student
It is a Friday morning and I wake up to the sound of my favorite band, next to my favorite person. I remind myself that the most important thing in my life is continually setting myself up for success. Success only comes to those who are joyful, passionate, and dedicated. There is no better way to wake than in a fashion that sparks a smile. I take my time getting up, letting the mist from the humidifier open my lungs, and the sun peaking through the blinds feed me with energy. After getting ready and putting myself together in a fashion that makes me feel confident, remember I always set myself up to be successful and success breaths confidence, I start my commute to campus.
Normally I would be walking to the gym to get my workout in, something I live by to reduce anxiety and stress, but Fridays are my busy days. Most people live for Fridays and their free time, but for me it’s just the beginning of my busy weekend. I live to contribute, and I contribute to the things I love. Doing the things you love most do not feel like work or a waste of time. We all have things we must do, but doing things you WANT to do will make the load of work seem lighter. A key way to keep mentally healthy is to remember to do things throughout the day that you actually enjoy. This morning I will take the time to do something I love. I will in fact arrive early, because I feel it is always important to show your dedication by arriving early.
I walk into the Linden Hall Training Room to a room full of extremely inspiring people. All of these people are dedicated to a cause so close and dear to my heart. Today is the first Title IX Summit , planning committee for the summit coming up in the Fall of 2017. Rowan’s is the first student-led, university sanctioned conference on Title IX concerns, which includes gender equality.
Founded by the office of Equity and Diversity, this committee was formed from the faculty, staff, and students involved and associated with the Sexual Violence Prevention Committee, another group I am a member of. It was a lively meeting, in which I was named co-chair to plan the student Title IX Summit in the fall of 2017. This event is student-planned and led, which offers great experience for my resume. It is a safe place, and a really good opportunity to be part of something bigger for this university. Currently we are looking for new committee members and coming before the fall student speakers and presenters for the summit. Usually after the meetings are over I start my commute back home.
When I arrive back home I first send out some emails because email is a big part of 
communicating and planning in college, and then I check some grades. I log onto Rowan’s online portal several times a day and look at what work I have left for my online classes. As I have gone through my journey at Rowan I have learned that for someone like myself who is self-disciplined, online classes help lighten your schedule load and allow you to work at your own pace. I am someone who takes three online classes, and prefer it. It is a good thing to try, but it may not for everyone.
After homework is done, I take some time to enjoy doing other things that I like. As the hour rolls around 4 o’clock in the afternoon I am out the door and on my way to The Office Of Student Activities first all staff meeting of the semester. It is always enjoyable to learn new things, surrounded by my coworkers who are also my friends. After we do the training portion, we always do something fun. It is good to add some competition and fun to help everyone bond. The last time it was less of a competition but more fun. We did a pie-to-the-face machine. You had to turn the handle whatever number you rolled on the die and see if you will get pied.
After all the fun, I squeeze in a meal right before my shift for Rowan After Hour (RAH). We start off the night with the assignment of positions, and a motivational cheer before we break to start setup. It’s definitely a great way to being the shift! The setup process takes about two hours on most normal nights at RAH. The event, which changes weekly, opens at 9 p.m., and we close around 12:30 a.m., so we head out by 1:30 a.m.
My last shift I worked the whole night wrapping free flower bouquets for people. I always love seeing all the different people who come to these events. It is an extremely open place with free activities, give aways and food. The staff sing and dance to music and have open honest conversations with participants. It is certainly a great place to meet new people and be surrounded by peers that fully welcome everyone. After a long day, the team takes a break from what was once full of people to a empty Student Center to breathe, dance and just relax after the success of the night.
When I get home I always take time to breathe and reflect on my day. I use stress relief facial scrub and breath in the eucalyptus scent. It is key to wind down before you try to fall asleep. Always set yourself up for success, and how you sleep can change how you act, think and feel the next day. So sleep well, and goodnight.
We are #RowanPROUD and we are Rowan Profs! Not exactly sure what a Prof is? It’s our owl mascot, Whoo RU. Read about him here.
Story organized and photography by:
senior public relations major Jen Green