Today’s Rowan Blog guest contributor, Samantha “Sam” Deeney, reveals what many students feel when entering college: uncertainty. Now a sophomore Public Relations major, Sam shares how she navigated her first year here at Rowan University and what she’s learned along the way.
Like many new college students, I began my freshman year unsure of what to do with myself.
I was unsure if I had chosen the right major and was questioning what I could see myself doing after graduation.
Exploring New Academic Interests
I decided to start by getting some required classes out of the way and see how things go.
I signed up for a Logic of Everyday Reasoning course simply because it was required for my major, but I came out of that class with a new interest — Philosophy. I am taking another Philosophy class now and am planning to minor in the subject.
Meanwhile, I have enjoyed my introductory classes in Public Relations and am already learning much about the field.
Finding Community Beyond the Classroom
Outside of academics, I’ve found joy in interacting with friends as well as being active. I spend time with my friends on campus going to various places on Rowan Boulevard, and I joined Rowan’s Tennis Team both to stay in shape and to make new friends.
Growing Through the College Experience
My interest in learning, friends, and new experiences through extracurricular activities have all helped give me a purpose.
When I wake up in the morning, I’m excited to go to campus, and this is just the beginning of my journey.
In the short time I’ve been at Rowan, I have already gained so much knowledge about both what I want to do in the external world and what makes me happy within my inner world, and my purposes in life will only continue to strengthen throughout my time here.
Story and photos submitted by:
Samantha Deeney, sophomore public relations major
About Rowan
Since its founding in 1923, Rowan University has evolved from a teacher preparation college to a public research institution ranked among the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Rowan University offers bachelor’s through doctoral degrees and professional certificates in person and online to nearly 25,000 students through its main campus in Glassboro and its eight other locations in southern New Jersey. Rowan focuses on practical research at the intersection of health care, engineering, science and business, while ensuring excellence in undergraduate education. The University has earned national recognition for innovation; commitment to high-quality, affordable education; and the development of public-private partnerships. A Carnegie-classified R2 (high research activity) institution, Rowan is the fastest-growing public research university in the Northeast and among the nation’s top 10 fastest-growing, as reported by The Chronicle of Higher Education. In 2025, Rowan opened New Jersey’s only veterinary school and is one of only two universities in the nation to offer M.D., D.O., and D.V.M. medical degrees.