Paleontology, Science Education, Dinosaur Expeditions, Discoveries and Exhibits

Time Management: An Interview with Susan Silva
By Kaitlin, a Project Exploration Student

Susan Silva was a Junior Paleontologist in 2000 and is currently enrolled at Robert Morris College in Chicago.

Susan Silva as a Junior Paleontologist
Photo: G. Lyon © Project Exploration

Kaitlin: What's your full name?

SS: Susan Silva

Kaitlin: Where did you go to high school?

SS:I went to Amundsen High School and graduated in 2003.

Kaitlin: Where do you currently go to college?

SS:Robert Morris

Kaitlin: Where do you live?

SS:Rogers Park

Kaitlin: What PE programs were you involved in? What age were you when you came into the program?

SS:I was a JP, SuperCroc Delegate, and I did a lot of internships in Montana and Wyoming. I was 15 years old when I came into the program.

Kaitlin: How old are you now?

SS:I am 20 years old

Kaitlin: What year are you in, at your college?

SS:I am in my Senior year.

Kaitlin: What were your feelings or thoughts towards college while you were in your junior and senior year?

SS:Junior year I was excited about being a senior, but I was also very nervous about going to college. I did more preparing in my junior year for college than I did in my senior year, which was a bad choice, [but] I had very supportive people surrounding me like Project Exploration, family, and friends.

Kaitlin: What advice do you have to students who are in high school about thinking and preparing themselves for college?

SS: The most important advice I have is to get focused and organized because during your junior and senior years there is a lot of important decisions you have to make, and a lot of important things you have to do. So it is very important to learn how to manage your time. Another thing that's important to do is to know what you want, and to realize that if you don't take advantage of your opportunities or go out looking for them, you will never get anything accomplished. It's always great to take a chance and have a positive attitude about what you're doing or what you're trying to accomplish. Because at first I didn't go through with the college application process the way I should have but I had a lot of people surrounding me like my family and definitely Project Exploration, who stood by my side and coached me through my whole college application process until I got in.

Kaitlin: What sorts of things should students be thinking about and doing before they even go through the application process?

SS: Managing their time. Time can get away from you so fast if you let it, and during your junior and senior year time goes even faster! It's a good thing to surround yourself with as much support as you need, I always went to my guidance counselor and always had Project Exploration to go and get help or advice from.

Kaitlin: What types of things were you scared or hesitant about when thinking of college, and how did you deal with those feelings when you got closer to your senior year?

SS: I was very nervous because I was scared I wasn't going to make it to college. I dealt with my fears by talking to Gabe [Lyon, Project Exploration executive director] and Conor [Barnes, manager of youth programs] and I either received information from them or my guidance counselor. I also procrastinated a lot which was very bad. I almost didn't end up graduating from my senior year in high school, but I thought about certain things that inspired me a great deal to move on like my family and the fact that I had a lot of support so I eventually made the decision to pull through and overcome my fears.

Kaitlin: When did you start filling out college applications? And what process did you go through? Where did you get your applications?

SS: I started filling out my college applications during my senior year, but what ended up happening was that I never sent any of them off. Gabe kept pushing me to stay focused and do what I had to do so I finally got back on track and was able to get into my college. A lot of colleges ask for your original transcript, test scores, and they require you to do essays. But the application that I think is awesome is the common application! Once you fill out that application you can use it for almost any college. I got my applications from my counselor or Gabe. You can also visit colleges and get their applications.

Kaitlin: Why did you choose the college that you attend now?

SS: Well, my college kept calling me and harassing me to come to their school, so after a while I just gave in because I figured it was a good school to start off in for my education. And I am glad I chose the school because the teachers are great, they really know what they're doing.