#PROFspective: Computer Science Major Brian Chesko

Today, we speak with Brian Chesko, a freshman computer science major from Hamilton (Mercer County), NJ, who lives on campus. Brian 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: Brian Chesko Brian outside on bridge near Student Center at Rowan University

Major: Computer Science

Year: Freshman

Hometown and County: Hamilton, NJ (Mercer County)

Resident: Yes, Holly Pointe Commons

Athletic clubs: Unified Sports

Social clubs: First-year Leadership Involvement Program, SUP Social Activities Committee, SUP Live Events Committee

Why did you choose your major? I’ve always had an interest in programming. I used to write scripts back in middle school to play RuneScape for me, and although it was technically against the rules, the knowledge I gained springboarded me into exploring different types of programs. I made games, functional applications, and sometimes just tried challenge exercises to see how well I could tackle them. When I realized that computer science usually led to this type of career, I started telling people I wanted to go to college for it. Although that was five years ago and my knowledge has grown, I still think the subject is fascinating and carries great prospects for a career.

One reason why you chose Rowan? To be honest, Rowan was not my immediate choice. After costs became prohibitive and I became a Prof, only then did I realize how much Rowan offered. A week before the semester started, I went on the First-year Connection Leadership trip and came into the year with a group of great friends and mentors who made me realize that I could easily call this school home. Now that I’m a month in, I can definitely say that I’ve warmed up to it a lot more than I thought I would.

My Typical Day as a Rowan Student:

Brian with his essentials: pillow, headphones, and bear made at RAH event at Rowan University — Brian’s essentials: pillow for quick naps, headphones, and his bear made at a RAH event

It’s 6:30 a.m. and the first of my many alarms starts to blare. That’s alright — I still have an hour and a half until my class. Without fail, I somehow manage to ignore the rest of the barrage long enough to stay in bed another hour and fifteen minutes. I get to class with one minute to spare. Well, I guess there’s one high school habit I still need to kick.

My experience becomes more personalized after my classes end. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, this is around 5 o’clock. From here until the end of the night, I find ways to balance homework, activities, and time with friends. If I can, I’ll try to sneak a gym session in at some point in the day, too.

Brian working on the computer at Rowan University On Tuesdays, I’ll usually do work after my last class until it’s 7:45, when I head to the Student Center to help set up for movie night. After setting up, I’ll move to the library for a few hours to do homework or study until the movie ends, at which point I’ll go back to take everything down. Afterwards, hopefully I’ve gotten enough of my work done for the night so that I can spend the rest of the night with friends.

Brian and his bear made from a RAH event at Rowan University Usually, this takes the form of hanging out at Prof’s Place until it closes for the night. Even though we have a pool table at home, I’ve probably played more in the past month at Rowan than I have in the past few years at my house. I think I’m not so bad at this point, so hit me up for a game!

Other nights, I can be found playing Mafia with my FCL friends lamenting the fact that I somehow die in the first round every single time. Either way, my night typically ends the same way. Exhausted, I stroll back to my Holly Pointe dorm to slump into bed and repeat the process another day.

Story organized and photography by:
Vanessa Vause, junior public relations major and advertising minor

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