Sydney Engelhardt
Contributing Writer
Here on this vibrant campus, Lily Swank, a second-year psychological and brain sciences major at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), is not only excelling academically but also managing a packed schedule with incredible dedication to her multiple responsibilities and coursework. In an interview with The Bottom Line (TBL), Swank spoke about what it takes to balance her social, academic, and professional pursuits.
Classes and Involvements
Swank’s academic workload this quarter is quite challenging, as she takes on 20 units with the expectation of graduating next spring. Despite the heavy load of three psychology courses and several others, she stays organized and productive by carefully scheduling her time. “I go to the library in between my classes and grind everything out, and if I don’t have any work to do, I do next week’s work,” Swank explained to TBL. She also mentions how she does not have any social media downloaded on her phone at times to be able to have complete focus on her day-to-day activities.
Aside from her classes, Swank has been a part of the Santa Catalina Hall Council for the past two years. She participated in organizations like WISE (Women in STEM and Engineering) and UCSB Safer Sex Peers, where she earned a certification last year. About her participation in WISE, Swank said, “I think it is really helpful because it got me into research.”
Alongside her academic workload, Swank works as a barista at Starbucks in the University Center on campus, leveraging her prior experience as a lead barista at Spotlight 29 Casino in her hometown of Coachella.
To stay organized, Swank relies on tools like Google Calendar to allocate dedicated time for studying, work, and personal commitments. She explained, “I love Google Calendar so very much … I schedule specific blocks of time, including study sessions and even plans with friends.” By efficiently managing multiple responsibilities, she demonstrates strong planning skills and the ability to stay organized.
Life as an RA
One of Swank’s most rewarding activities is being the Resident Assistant (RA) for the Santa Catalina dorms. “I really like it: it is a lot of work, but it doesn’t feel super intense because I like the nature of the job,” Swank told TBL. Last quarter, she put on multiple events, including tote bag painting, a Thanksgiving gathering, game nights, and a Halloween-themed Fright Night.
Being an RA and organizing these events has been incredibly fulfilling for her. “I think they are all really fun and a really good chance to get to meet all of you, so I’m excited to do more this quarter … this job in general has helped me with my crisis management skills,” Swank shared. The role has not only enhanced her problem-solving abilities but also allowed her to build a tight-knit community among her peers in the secluded Santa Catalina residence halls. Her RA position has also refined her time management skills, as she balances event planning, resident concerns, and personal responsibilities.
Internships and Career Ambitions
Swank is working toward a degree in psychological and brain sciences, with an educational studies minor pending approval. She aspires to become a high school psychology teacher and plans to enroll in UCSB’s accelerated master’s program to earn a degree in education along with a teaching credential.
In addition to her already demanding academic pursuits, this summer, Swank plans to apply for prestigious RA internships at Columbia, Brown, Stanford, and NYU to further enrich her experiences. She successfully incorporates her future ambitions into her already hectic schedule by using her knowledge to organize and prioritize these tasks.
Passions and Personal Growth at UCSB
Swank credits UCSB for shaping her into a more extroverted and independent person. “I think I’ve become more comfortable with myself and learned so much about who I am,” she reflects in the interview. She discusses how, last year, she faced challenges with demanding courses, like chemistry, as well as personal struggles, including mental health issues.
With some passions of hers, however, such as weightlifting, self-care, and mindfulness practices, as well as using school resources such as Counseling & Psychological Services, she has grown significantly. “I like going to the bluffs and just staring at the ocean for an hour,” Swank told TBL. She explains how engaging in peaceful and mindful activities helps her recharge and reconnect with herself, enabling her to tackle work and responsibilities more effectively.
By managing a rigorous schedule of coursework, extracurricular activities, and employment, she exemplifies how to manage college life’s rigors while maintaining focus on her interests. Finding a balance between these obligations demonstrates her devotion to long-term achievement and personal development.
Seizing every opportunity that comes her way, Lily Swank is making the most of her time at UCSB.