Success Story: Ryley Skelton header image

 

Name: Ryley Skelton
Hometown:
 Salem, OR
High School:
 McKay High School
College/University:
 Willamette University
Year in school:
 Junior
Major:
 Mathematics
Activities Involved in On Campus:
 I do not have a whole lot of time to be as active in clubs and volunteering as I would like to be and as much as I was in high school. Instead, I work at Willamette University College of Law part time and am a full time student. In my spare time I am studying or socializing with friends.

What do you wish you would have known/done before coming to college? I wish I had known that college is not like what they show on television and that it involves a lot of hard work, a lot of studying, and a lot of stress. It is definitely a fun experience and I can only hope I will look back fondly at my college years. I have met a lot of amazing people that I think will be life long friends and I have enjoyed my years at WU so far. However, college can be extremely stressful. There have been several times where I haven't been able to hang out with friends or go to events because I have to finish my homework or catch up on my sleep. The best advice I can give high school students about college is to always put school and homework first because, after all, that is the reason why you are paying for your education. Everything else will fall into place afterwards.

What is one of the best things about college? One of the best things about college is that it is a place where you can be yourself, interact with your professors and classmates and find out your real interests. In high school I did not really know what I wanted to do with my life, going to WU I was able to spend the first two years taking gen-ed requirements and at the same time experiencing a large variety of classes in different subjects. I found that math is what I enjoy doing and find very interesting.

How has GEAR UP helped you? GEAR UP has given me the opportunity to go to an amazing university that has opened many doors for me and my future.

What are your future career plans? I am thinking about attending business school after my graduation from WU. I am considering owning a bakery with a friend.