Custom BlendsMeet Meghan Stickle, a sophomore from North Carolina studying Biochemistry at Coastal Carolina University. After reading about Meghan, you’ll see why I’m so in awe of her! Meghan leads a demanding lifestyle and most importantly, she takes advantage of all the time she has.
She’s the definition of an achiever. Being a student taking eighteen credits is hard enough, but of course that doesn’t stop her from working a job, being a student genetics researcher, and a fitness enthusiast. So how does she balance it all? I talked with Meghan to find out!
You are incredibly involved at Coastal Carolina University! Walk me through a day in your shoes.
Well, I wake up at 5:30 a.m, and I’m at my job at the Williams Brice Aquatic Center by 6:10 a.m until 8:00 a.m. After work I go get breakfast on campus for about thirty minutes which goes by very quickly. Next, I go straight to the genetics research lab until about 10:30 am or sometimes right up until I have class at 10:50 a.m.
Then, I have class back to back until 3:00 p.m. It’s a long day. After all of my classes I have a one hour break and I usually take this time to get a head start on my homework. At 4:00 p.m I go back to work at the aquatics center until 6:00 pm. After work I go to the gym and get a good workout in to relieve all the stress of the day. I do mostly cardio, but I try to mix in some lifting too.
I usually finish up at the gym by 7:30 p.m, and then I head home to shower and get dinner. After dinner I do more homework and watch Netflix, Bluebloods to be specific, until I fall asleep. My days are so long but I am used to them now.
I know you have to be exhausted by the end of the day! I give you so much credit for everything that you juggle. What do you feel is the hardest part about trying to keep a balanced life?
Finding personal time is the hardest, because I try so hard to balance school and work life since I know they are so important. Sometimes I find it extra hard to include time that is just for me.
Going to the gym really helps though. It’s great when I do find free time though, I’ll go run on nature trails or even take advantage of living so close to the beach.
That sounds great! Do you ever feel stressed or too overwhelmed?
I do feel stressed sometimes. It always depends on what is going on in my personal life at the moment. The stress comes in waves but you just have to remain calm and manage it.
I know all women can relate to those feelings. What do you do to combat stress and stay healthy?
I do a lot of running and swimming cardio daily. I also try to eat a balanced diet making sure that I am eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. I also drink plenty of water and drinking hot tea also helps me unwind at night.
Awesome, now, what do you feel is the best part about being a woman?
I love the fact that being a woman makes me stay connected to all the different aspects of my life. I stay connected to work, school, and family and relationships. In a way being a woman makes me feel obligated to divide my attention equally. Also, I love the fact that people know me for the different things I do around campus too! I’m known to professors and classmates as a researcher and a lifeguard because that’s what I’m always doing, so that keeps me motivated. I’m very proud of that. I’m passionate about it and I think I’ll always enjoy being busy.
I love that! What advice do you have to give to other women?
Do not get discouraged about facing new things in life. For me as a genetics researcher and biochemistry student it’s almost harder being a woman because this field is very male dominated. I would tell other women not to be phased by this either. Times are changing, but it is still as if women are not expected to be as busy and outgoing as I am and sometimes that can downplay all the great things that women all over are doing. Do everything you want to do no matter how scary it may feel.
Meghan Stickle is indefinitely an inspiring young woman, I am very impressed by all she has taken on at this age. I hope she has motivated you too to balance it all!
“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.”-Coco Chanel
