Patrick Simonsen is a first-year musical theatre major from Viborg, SD.
Sara Cappiello: What are you involved in on campus?
Patrick Simonsen: I am a part of the Coyote Crazies and I am Charlie, the mascot. I haven’t been Charlie yet, but I’m one of the new people on the Spirit Squad, so I’m starting before Dakota Days.
SC: With midterms coming up soon, how are you planning on preparing?
PS: Drinking a lot of U-Brew and making lots of flashcards. I think my ballet class is the hardest because I don’t know anything about it. I have to remember combinations so that’s going to be difficult.
SC: How do you stay focused?
PS: I usually try to sit down and clear my head of everything and focus on what’s really important.
SC: How do you balance school work with your social life?
PS: My classes get done pretty early, so after that I do homework with friends and that’s kind of how I balance it.
SC: What do you do to relieve stress?
PS: I mainly just listen to music and go to a practice room. Or I just watch Netflix and hang out with friends.
SC: Would you say college is more stressful or less stressful than high school?
PS: It was a bit of a stretch, but also easy at the same time and I’m very comfortable with the campus and I’m doing what I like. I think it’s less stressful because in high school, you have the social pressures as well as schoolwork. But now it’s mainly just school.