Samantha Shober

MSB ’16
Age: 19
Hometown: Chalfont, Pa.
Major: Accounting and Finance
Minor: English

Do you feel obliged to be busy at Georgetown?
I do. I think it’s just part of the culture at Georgetown because you always hear people almost bragging about how busy they are and how many things they’re involved in. I think it’s hard not to internalize that kind of pressure, but for the most part, I try not to be influenced by that.

What do you hope Georgetown will help you accomplish?
I hope that Georgetown just makes me a better person, more intellectual and more open-minded to new experiences and new people.

Has Georgetown changed what you thought you wanted to do in life, or has it amplified what you thought you wanted to do?
When I came into Georgetown, I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, and now I do feel more confident and assured of my major and the school that I’m in and all that. I came in wanting to do teaching, so I would say that it’s changed.

What is the one of the hardest things you’ve ever had to do?
Thinking of a fun fact about myself for all different icebreakers. I have no fun facts. I make them up. I’ve spent many hours of my life thinking of fun facts, and I haven’t come up with one.

Do you feel that you fit in at Georgetown?
I think that there’s a lot of diversity and a lot of different types of people, and so I think that you can find a good group of friends no matter what you’re personality is or your goals are. When I first came to Georgetown, I was expecting a very preppy culture, and I don’t see that as much. I think there are a wide variety of people and you can find ones to fit in with.

Do you have a phrase or mantra that you choose to live by?
I don’t really think so, actually. Well, in stressful situations I just try to keep things in perspective because sometimes really small things can seem like a big deal, and I can get anxious about it, but in the grand scheme of life, a grade you get on a test is inconsequential compared to other things you want to do with your life.

What would you change about yourself, and what’s the biggest change you’ve consciously made in your life?
I feel like the biggest change I’ve made is to freak out less about things. In high school, I used to get really stressed about small things and school in general, so just trying to be more chill and laid-back and less dramatic. I wish I could be more confident and secure and willing to be outgoing in classes. Participate in class every day, be more articulate.

Interview by Robert DePaolo