I'm Actually Going to Graduate!

Yes, everyone. That is correct. I am finally going to graduate from college! I feel like I have been in school forever, but really, I've only completed 10 semesters so far. By the time I graduate from BYU-Idaho, I will have completed 11. But! That includes a changing of my major and transferring from BYU Provo to BYU-Idaho.

So, in order to graduate next semester, I either needed to enroll in the Senior Research Seminar class (you have to conduct a research study with a group and write a 20 page paper at the end discussing your findings) or get an internship. For a  while I was actively pursuing an internship through getting a job on campus. But, it didn't feel like it was the right thing to do. Panic started to overwhelm me, so I prayed, and felt like I should just wait. I am not a person that can just "wait". I have to have a plan, I have to know what I'm doing, and it has to be a plan that maps out my future. I'm a planner. But, I felt like my impression to wait was the right thing to do, so that's what I decided to do.

I waited. And I waited. And I waited some more, and no opportunities were coming my way. I was slowly but surely consigning myself to the fact that I was going to have to take the research seminar class, making my final semester of school absolutely insane. But, if it was what I was going to have to do, it was what I would do. I am ridiculously determined to do whatever it takes to graduate.

The week after I decided I would just have to take the stupid class, my professor for Health and Fitness Appraisal and Prescription emailed us and mentioned that there would be an opportunity for an on-campus internship for the Fall. The next day in class he had more details, I expressed my interest, learned more about it, and ta-da: I have an internship for next semester!

I am going to be a Wellness Coach in the Biggest Winner program here on campus!

I am SO excited about this, it makes me look a little insane.

The internship requires me to work 20-25 hours a week. I will be working directly with a personal trainer to help our team of eight contestants find success through their workout, nutrition, and behavior adaptation plans. As the Wellness Coach, I am in charge of their nutrition, meal planning, behavior adaptations, lifestyle changes, and just overall wellness during the program. I will conduct their initial and final assessments, have 1-on-1 nutrition counseling sessions with my clients, conduct bi-weekly weigh-ins, and attend every workout! There are team challenges throughout the semester, group workouts every day, and a banquet and closing ceremonies at the end of the program.

I cannot wait to get started! I already have so many fun ideas for my team members, lessons I want to teach, and activities I want to do with them!

I feel so blessed to have this internship fall in my lap at the perfect time. The university usually requires on-campus internships to be during your off-track, at least 40 hours, and the intern cannot be taking any courses through the school. But the rules have changed, just for this internship. It doesn't have to be 40 hours, it can be taken during the student's on-track, and they can be enrolled in up to 10 credits. It is absolutely perfect for my schedule next semester, and it is exactly what I am passionate about and want to do. I have no doubt in my mind that I felt prompted to wait so that I could have the experience of participating in this program. I AM SO EXCITED.

P.S. This is the awesome gym facility that we get to work in. And this is only the cardio half of it! There is a really well equipped weight lifting section as well. Again. So excited.